"Sold out houses with rave reviews"
-Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director, Florida Studio Theatre
“Honor Killing continues to be a huge success here at Florida Studio Theatre. It has played to sold out houses with rave reviews from all the major local arts publications. ”
"Tautly told"
-Kay Kipling, Sarasota Magazine
“The horrific killing of a young Pakistani woman at the hands of her family is the catalyst for the action in Honor Killing, now onstage at Florida Studio Theatre. It’s a world premiere production written by first-time playwright Sarah Bierstock, and it’s a tautly told—if sometimes overwrought—look at culture clashes, differing male-female perspectives, and the value of a woman’s life—not only abroad but back home in America.”
"Powerful scenes... impressive"
-Jay Handelman, The Herald Tribune
“There are several powerful scenes in Sarah Bierstock’s play “Honor Killing” when you can almost sense the entire audience holding its collective breath and reacting simultaneously during the play’s world premiere at Florida Studio Theatre. Bierstock, an actress making an impressive debut as a playwright, has crafted a tightly wound drama about New York Times reporter Allisyn Davis investigating an honor killing — the death by stoning of a young woman in Pakistan by members of her family because she did not marry the man they chose for her. It’s a tragic story that has a deeper meaning for Allisyn than it may for the audience.”
"Gripping... best play this season"
-William S. Oser, Talkin’ Broadway
“Honor Killing is about Allisyn Davis, writer for the New York Times, and her attempts to cover the killing of a woman by her family in Pakistan. The play takes place on three emotional planes: the reporting of the event, the emotional relationship between Allisyn and fellow writer Ben Adams, and Allisyn’s personal back story. Right off we are thrown into the world of the event and efforts to gather information. The glide into the second world, Allisyn and Ben’s history, does not flow as seamlessly as I might wish, but this is minor and perhaps can be adjusted as the play continues to stand on its own legs. From here on the movement between the various emotional arenas is excellent. The play examines the role of women in foreign countries and, most importantly, the righteousness of one culture interfering in another’s deepest issues. At a fast paced 90 minutes, the play is gripping and my attention never wavered.”
"Tremendous talent and beauty"
-Amanda S. Stevenson, PR. March 2014
“Lovely soprano who sang songs from Jacques Brel and the audience was impressed with her astute handling of these very difficult songs. I was really bowled over. She has tremendous talent and beauty and bound to become a television star because of her magnetism.”
"Wonderfully generous actor"
Josh Gladstone, Artistic Director of Guild Hall (East Hampton, NY)
“Sarah has terrific stage instincts and lights up the room. She is a wonderfully generous actor and a wonderfully generous person, too!”
"Professionalism and generosity of spirit"
Rob Fruchtman, Director/Producer at LIRO Films
“Sarah is a very talented actor who is also great to work with. Her professionalism and generosity of spirit made working with her a real delight. I genuinely look forward to our next project together.”
"A dream to work with"
Tricia Brouk, Director/Choreographer
“Sarah is highly professional, and a dream to work with. She also is a risk taker and an extremely thoughtful actor. I can trust her to get inside the character’s head and bring ideas to the table, ready to play.”
"Fascinating and intriguing"
Kate Mueth, Founder/ Artistic Director Neo-Political Cowgirls
“One thing I love about working with Sarah Bierstock (of the many reasons) is her intelligence in the work. She questions and plumbs the depths in search of the innermost parts of the character at hand. She makes the relationship of director to actor a fascinating and intriguing journey in the seeking of a character.”
"Psychologically deeper... lovely soprano"
-Steven Stanley, Stage Scene Los Angeles
“Sarah Bierstock does fine, assured work as a psychologically deeper than usual Wendy, and lends her lovely soprano to ‘Who Am I?’, ‘Dream With Me,’ and ‘Spring Will Come Again.’”
"Good taste... commands well"
-David Finkle, Backstage Magazine
“Wearing a sausage-curl hairdo the likes of which hasn’t been seen since Elizabeth Taylor appeared in 1949′s ‘Little Women,’ Sarah Bierstock made a promising bow at Danny’s Skylight Room a week or so ago. Bierstock actually resembles the Taylor of that period, although that probably isn’t the reason she sang the Marcy Heisler-Zina Goldrich ‘Taylor’ to well-earned applause from what seemed a roomful of family and friends. They had much to be proud of, since, with ‘Up ‘Til Now,’ Bierstock demonstrated she has the right onstage instincts. She explained this was ‘my first cabaret,’ but she already has good taste in songs right for her…has a mezzo soprano she commands well… is comfortable at the mike, and at ease chatting with the audience. (Not all neophytes are, even when they know most of the attendees.) ”