When it comes to musical theater, the content can originate in the most unlikely of sources. And when it works, it can seem an inspired stroke of genius.

As with its 2011 production of "Little Shop of Horrors," Manoa Valley Theatre’s new show, "The Toxic Avenger Musical," is based on a cult horror film and transcends the material from which it was adapted.

Melvin Ferd the Third is a geek looking to clean up the toxic nuclear waste in the New Jersey city of Tromaville when he discovers that evil Mayor Babs Belgoody is responsible for environmental crimes. She sends her goons to have him killed, but instead of dying in a vat of the radioactive sludge, Melvin is transformed into the hideously deformed yet heroic Toxic Avenger.

Suffice to say, it’s a comedy — no unfortunate coincidental molasses spill allusions here. Soon enough, though, things go from the campily ridiculous to the hilariously sublime. The music is mostly rock-themed, and the band actually performs from an upper level of the onstage garbage dump, shrouded in a fog of dry ice, almost making the musicians a part of the cast. Tongue is firmly planted in cheek with songs such as "Kick Your Ass," "Choose Me Oprah" and "All Men Are Freaks," and the lyrics are peppered with comedic profanity.

Joshua Haili-Silva plays the title character with the proper amount of nerd, hero and, after his transformation, growling mutation. Michelle Bou­dreau as his blind love interest, Sarah, has a terrific voice and perfect comic timing, making all of her songs showstoppers. (At one point the couple plays the body-contorting, color-coordinated game Twister. How does a sight-impaired person play Twister? The musical’s sense of humor and disdain for logic are summed up in this one scene.)

Only three other performers round out the cast, and they have the gargantuan job of playing multiple characters. Jenn Thomas absolutely kills in a "duet" in which she sings as both Melvin’s mother and Mayor Babs, wearing a costume that is split down the middle between the two characters.

Tim Jeffryes and Kaimana Ramos portray thugs, cops, scientists, folk singers, female friends of Sarah’s, gay hairdressers and more, all within the 90-minute show. No intermission.

Lloyd Kaufman, creator of the 1984 B-movie "The Toxic Avenger," attended the dress rehearsal of Manoa Valley Theatre’s production and is said to have approved. There probably is no higher recommendation than that.