Second Generation Theatre, once again, takes musical theatre next level with this production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

John Cameron Mitchell’s book with Stephen Trask’s music and lyrics set the story of Hansel, a music-loving teen in East Germany who meets an American soldier who wants to marry him. In 1998, the only option was for Hansel to become Hedwig, and one back-alley botched surgery renders her with the so-called angry inch. Still they wed and find their way to the U.S. where her husband leaves her. Hedwig works some odd jobs and forms a band with some Army wives. She meets and mentors a teen son of an Army officer who steals her heart and her music on his way to rock stardom. She replaces the Army wives for a better band, marries another man who gives up his performance aspirations for her, but her former mentee’s success taunts her.

This comes together as an 80-minute stage concert with with Vanna Deux as Hedwig, Kristopher Bartolomeo as second husband Yitzhak, and the Angry Inch led by Allan Paglia on keyboard, James Benders on bass, Brian McMahon on drums, and Brandon Barry on guitars (check out his cool acoustic set up) and backing vocals.

This is a wild, glorious, funny, poignant, and soul-searching ride, and it’s so damn good. The band is tight, and Vanna as Hedwig is a riot when she’s not totally breaking your heart. Bartolomeo is the almost silent force who tells his story with his searing eyes and gestures that vacillate from subservient to sad to angry and triumphant. Michael Gilbert-Wachowiak as director may have taken some risks with all this and they paid off wonderfully.

David Butler’s set and projection created a gritty, time-piece backdrop, down to the pay phone and grubby archway. I loved the projection and the line art that undulated to the music.

It’s the music that clutches at you. “We wrapped our arms around each other, trying to shove ourselves back together” in “The Origin of Love,” and the anthem to female rockers in “Midnight Radio” spinning like those 45s stand out as key to Hedwig’s story. The interpretation was strong and powerful and even if you’re not a rocker, you’ll get it and love it.

This may not be the show that you expect, but it’s the one that will linger with you on the ride home and beyond. Brava!

Hedwig and the Angry Inch runs 80 minutes with no intermission until May 18 at Shea’s Smith Theatre. Find tix at http://www.sheas.org.