BOOTHBAY — The Boothbay Playhouse will stage “The Fantasticks,” the longest-running production of any kind in the world, beginning Thursday, Aug. 15.

“At the heart of its breathtaking poetry and subtle theatrical sophistication is the purity and simplicity of one of the best written shows ever to grace a stage,” states a news release. “The result is a timeless fable of love that is both nostalgic and universal at the same time.

“It is the story of two scheming fathers who start a mock feud and build a wall between their houses to entice their children, Matt and Luisa, to fall in love. What better way to ensure that their children will fall in love than to forbid it?”

The Off-Broadway musical ran a record-breaking 42 years with stand out songs including “Try To Remember The Kind Of September,” “Soon It’s Gonna Rain” and “Plant A Radish.” In a twist on the classic story of boy meets girl, Matt and Luisa are led by El Gallo from the wistfulness of “when life was slow and oh so mellow” to the reality that “without a hurt the heart is hollow.”

“The Fantasticks” is directed by Emily Moore and stars Nicholas Carroll (El Gallo), Roger Reed (Matt), Devin Domeyer (Luisa), Nick Azzaretti (The Boy’s Father, Hucklebee), Dan True (The Girl’s Father, Bellomy), Joe McGrann (The Actor), Cole Domeyer (Mortimer) and Nick Mirabile (The Mute).

Shows are Aug. 15, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m., and Aug. 18 and 24 at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by stopping by the Playhouse box office, or calling 633-3379.