Award-winning Burbank playwright Colette Freedman's acclaimed play, "Sister Cities," is about to be mounted in Burbank, in advance of its European premiere at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

This production is the first international effort undertaken by Burbank-based Sidewalk Studio Theatre Productions, a nonprofit organization that presents thought-provoking theater at its home space in Toluca Lake and elsewhere.

"Sister Cities" tells the story of Mary Baxter, a woman who has had an enviable life - a dancer who married young and never looked back as she traveled the world and moved from one marriage to the next.

Four husbands gave her four daughters, each of whom are as different from each other as the cities they were named after.

When Mary dies, Austin calls her estranged sisters to return to their childhood home for what appears to be a wake, but turns into a family drama that will unearth old animosities and new secrets that will change them forever.

Ultimately, the fractured sisters begin to realize the value of "working with what you got" and the importance of keeping family ties strong.

"Sister Cities" has been performed in Los Angeles, Burbank, New York and Florida, and is now on its way to the world's largest arts event, the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland in August.

Among its rave reviews, New York reviewers proclaimed: "Wise, warm, and full of heart and humor, 'Sister Cities' ... is one of the best new plays of the season," and, "The play is beautiful and devastating."

The professional cast features Jill Gascoine, popular star of the long-running UK television series, "The Gentle Touch" and its spin-off, "Cat's Eyes," (about to be released on DVD).

The version of the play to be seen in Edinburgh will be shown this week only, at the Sidewalk Studio Theatre at 4150 Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake. The original cast is being reunited for these special performances, from Thursday June 26, through Saturday June 29; Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets can be reserved by calling (818)558-5702.

For more information, visit www.sstproductions.org.