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Warehouse verve fuels “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” in its Orange County premiere at Hunger Artists Theatre Company. The Obie-winning cult hit by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask gains grunge credibility from the industrial venue, which designer David Scaglione turns into a glitter-curtained rocker’s garage, with stage-side tables bearing Gummi Bears.

Immigration-wary Yitzhak (Terri Mowrey) presents the title East German transvestite (an uncanny Scott Westra), and one’s scalp tingles. Wearily jaded, with epic eye makeup and ultra-Farrah hair, this is the mere slip of a girlie boy that originator Mitchell’s libretto describes.

Together with the band -- named for what remains of the former Hansel Schmidt after a misfired sex change -- Hedwig rips into the opener, “Tear Me Down,” and sets the house ablaze.

Thereafter, Hedwig’s ribald act unfolds as Plato’s Symposium-inspired trek to a cohesive self, goaded by Trask’s superb songs and the off-stage arena performance of traitorous soul mate Tommy Gnosis (courtesy of sound designer B.C. Keller).

Unlike the brilliantly revised 2004 Celebration staging, director Shannon C.M. Flynn and choreographer Susy Davis follow “Hedwig’s” original contours and strike the right notes and nerves. Mark Matzkanin’s lighting is splendid, high density on a dime, while Corrine Larson’s costumes and Brenda Scaglione’s wigs look suitably shoplifted.

Westra, softer-grained than some predecessors, works his Rufus Wainwright-flavored chops, grim humor and jagged eruptions to compelling effect. As Yitzhak, Mowrey can further darken her mezzo, but the ire is apt.

The band -- musical director P. Matthew Park, drummer Jesse Nason, bassist Scott A. Keister and guitarist Tommy Ring -- utterly cooks. Yitzhak’s final appearance minus Hedwig’s wig is curious, and group lyrics blur. Yet the raw fidelity produces a wicked little company benchmark.

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‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’

Where: Hunger Artists Theatre, College Business Park, 699-A S. State College Blvd., Fullerton

When: 8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Also 8 p.m. July 11

Ends: July 24

Price: $20

Contact: (714) 680-6803 or www.hungerartists.com

Running time: 1 hour, 25 minutes