NATCHEZ — Normally walls are meant to divide, but Saturday night one wall will spawn romance — on stage at least.

In the first main stage performance of the Natchez Festival of Music, an eight- member cast will tell the story of two fathers determined to have their children fall in love in the musical production of “The Fantasticks.”

The setting isn’t specific and the props and sets are minimal but Festival of Music veteran Will Earl Spanheimer said the music and the words are enough to capture an audience.

“The production leaves a lot of room for imagination and interpretation by the audience and the cast,” Spanheimer said.

Spanheimer will portray the narrator that helps the audience navigate the story of Hucklebee and Bellomy as they plot to have their children fall in love and eventually marry.

Spanheimer said that while most don’t go to the lengths that Hucklebee, played by Daniel Pettit, and Bellomy, played by Kyle Hancock, do, the theme is universal. The fathers only want what’s best for their children, Spanheimer said.

“There are emotions and feelings in this production that everyone feels and experiences,” he said. “It is something everyone can relate to in some way.”

The two fathers, one with a daughter, Louisa, and the other with a son, Matt, build a wall between their houses to appear as if the families are involved in a quarrel. But it is just an illusion as the fathers hope their children will defy their instructions to stay apart and want to spend time together and fall in love.

The plan works but doesn’t prove to be as simple as just constructing a wall.

“In the second act (Louisa and Matt) have to go out in the world and experience some things,” Spanheimer said.

Louisa will be played by festival rookie Ashlyn Rust. The Dallas native said that while she has never performed in Natchez or performed in “The Fantasticks” the role of Louisa is one she is very comfortable with. Because at 5 feet tall she said she often cast in similar roles.

“Because of my height, I’m always cast in the little girl or young girl role, so playing Louisa isn’t new to me,” she said.

While the role might not be that different, Rust said the limited time the cast has to rehearse together is something unique. When the curtains open Saturday, the cast will have only rehearsed for 13 days.

“I’ve never put something together this fast,” she said. “It takes a complete commitment from everyone in the cast, and with this, we have had that.”

But one thing that has made the production easier for Rust is the fact that the director and the musical director are the same person. She said that helps her and the rest of the cast focus on one set of instructions.

“Sometimes the director and musical director will have two different ideas about the style,” she said. “You end up trying to please both sides. This way you are only pleasing one person.”

But that is not the case with “The Fantasticks” as Bill Lewis is filling both roles.

“That allows this production to be a true collaboration of talents,” Rust said.

“The Fantasticks” will be performed at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $20, $35 and $45 each. They can be purchased by calling 601-445-6103 or 1-800-647-6742 or in person at the Natchez Pilgrimage Tours office or the Natchez Visitor Reception Center. Tickets are also available online at www.natchezopera.com.

In his third year as a festival performer, Spanheimer said the trip back to Natchez is one he can’t turn up. And it isn’t just the main stage that keep Spanheimer coming back.

“There are so many different venues to perform in here with the main stage performances and the more intimate performances at homes and nursing homes, that is a big draw for me.” Spanheimer said. “With the smaller performances, you can actually look in people’s eyes and talk to them.”

And what Spanheimer loves about coming to Natchez, Rust is getting accustom to.

“The amount of culture and the interest in it that the people have here is just overwhelming to me,” she said. “For the people to invest so much, and not just money, into this is just unheard of.”