For us Gen Xers, there’s only one movie: “Heathers.”

We've all owned – or still own – a VHS copy of the wickedly dark 1989 comedy. (It's probably in a basement box tucked in between that Nirvana "Nevermind" LP and a paperback copy of "Less Than Zero.")

Like no other flick before it, "Heathers" defined high school cliques in sharp color-coordinated relief. It scrunchied struggles of the ‘80s — bulimia, gay shame and teen suicide (don't do it!) — brilliantly into satirical story arcs. The cult hit influenced future deep dives into teenage taxonomies: "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Clueless," "Election," "Bring It On." And on and on. All the way to the TV series "Riverdale," which recently featured an episode based on the off-Broadway show "Heathers: The Musical."

Funhouse Lounge's energetic production of the musical is a little off-putting at first. The show kicks the movie's murderous plot into overdrive while candy-coating some of the edginess in sentiment. Playwright and composer Laurence O'Keefe, who adapted "Heathers" for the stage, also wrote the score for the musical version of "Legally Blonde." So there's pep aplenty.

Film fans remember our beloved Westerburg High Schoolers as hard and salty as day-old Corn Nuts. These cheery kids can seem as sweet as a cherry Slushie.

Veronica Sawyer (portrayed by Melory Mirashrafi) is still the senior class brainiac who favors indigo separates and falls under the wings of the three queen bees, Heathers Chandler, Duke and McNamara (Jessica Tidd, Paige Hanna and Lauren Allison), who rule the school in shoulder-padded supremacy. But our heroine is far more dewy-eyed than Winona Ryder's angsty on-screen original.

Bless bad boys. Dave Cole serves up dangerous Judd Nelson-Johnny Depp-Christian Slater realness as J.D., the lone wolf tricking Veronica into taking down Alpha Heather Chandler and then bumping off more obnoxious classmates in the ultimate anti-bullying campaign.

Dave Cole and Melory Mirashrafi take over the roles made famous by Christian Slater and Winona Ryder in the movie "Heathers."Lucy Hobbs

The two are enticing assassins. Endlessly watchable, Mirashrafi and Cole spark a tragic charm that goes beyond that of their motion picture counterparts. Sardonic cinematic sweethearts Veronica and J.D. sharing a love song? Never. But when this pair busts out “Seventeen,” the ballad is entirely fitting, completely convincing and just so … very.

Other musical numbers are pretty killer, too. When the junta of Heathers —savoring their roles — stomps out their introduction in the rocking "Candy Store," we're compelled to bow at their argyle knee socks.

Party anthem "Big Fun" lives up to its title, but "Freeze Your Brain," J.D.'s ode to convenience store frozen beverages, is a scream, too.

The funniest moment in the movie is transformed into the Act II showstopper "My Dead Gay Son." Aidan Nolan and Platon Hogan go from homophobic football players in Act I to tolerance-preaching parents for this gospel-tinged tune.

Fans, like the ones who showed up to the Funhouse Lounge dressed in "Heathers"-ish plaid skirts, bright blazers and crimped locks, will be happy to know that the stage show seizes the movie's – let's go with "vivid" – quotes.

"You're beautiful," "What's your damage?" "Did you have a brain tumor for breakfast?” They're all here. Of course, save your biggest hollers for that chainsaw-powered expletive that still inspires GIFs and adorns Etsy brooches 30 years on.

Strengths: The cast is in strong voice, particularly Mirashrafi, gifted with staggering range and roaring pipes that could crack a croquet ball. Keep in mind that Funhouse Lounge is a bar and actors aren't mic'd.

Weaknesses: There's no band. Likely because they can't hear their backing tracks, the cast sometimes falls behind. And one Heather didn’t know all of her lyrics.

Betty Finn, Veronica's former bestie in the film, is merged with Martha Dunnstock for the musical. It's an improvement that geeky Martha has as prominent a place as all the Swatch-Watch-dogs and Diet Coke-heads, and Chelsea Read is engaging in the revamped part. But her new storyline is akin to what killed the dinosaurs: chaos.

Takeaway: Nostalgia done right, if not perfectly.

“Heathers: The Musical"

When: 7 p.m. Thursday- Saturday through July 13.

Where: Funhouse Lounge, 2432 S.E. 11th Ave.

Tickets: $25-$30, funhouselounge.com or 503-841-6734.