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Director John Rando seems right at home in the urine-splashed, toxic dump universe of offbeat camp musicals. He scored brilliantly with "Urinetown" years ago and now he directs "The Toxic Avenger." Both shows, for better or worse, hold their noses and jump headfirst into the pool of crude humor. But thanks to Rando's directorial finesse and a keen eye for talent, "The Toxic Avenger" emerges for the most part smelling like a rose.

The shtick may seem familiar: silly sight gags, self-referential jokes, gross-out action and buff guys in drag. Yet the key factor is the polish that this outstanding company brings to the production.

Inspired by the 1985 cult B-movie of the same name, it's set in Tromaville N.J., a hellish place dominated by toxic waste filled drums. The story follows nerdy do-gooder Melvin Ferd, whose efforts to clean up the site are routinely thwarted by a couple of local bullies. The corrupt mayor dispatches the bad boys to beat up our hero, and they end up dumping Melvin in a container of sludge, where he turns into the freakish Toxic Avenger.

Joe DiPietro wrote the book and David Bryan, better known as keyboardist and founding member of Bon Jovi, composed the rock-infused score. Both are credited with the show's lyrics. Not quite up to the high mark set by "Urinetown," their collaboration is solid enough to make for hysterical, lowbrow entertainment.

It's the performers who truly rock this show. Nick Cordero's Toxic Avenger is eye-poppingly good. New to the cast is Diana DeGarmo, as Melvin's blind librarian girlfriend Sarah. The "American Idol" finalist has a natural gift for comedy to match her impressive pipes.

Demond Green and Jonathan Root ratchet up the humor in multiple roles, with a huge assist from costumer David C. Woolard. They could easily steal the show if not for Nancy Opel's virtuosic turn in three roles. Perhaps her best performance in a career of high notes, she must be seen to be believed.

Parents considering bringing little children should beware, as body parts fly fast and furious along with the vulgar jokes. But if crass, off-color humor is your cup of tea, then you'll find "The Toxic Avenger" a beautiful thing.