Gila Sand and Paul Leschen’s “Twist” may have more style than substance, but in its opening production of the 2009-’10 season, Diversionary Theatre works the musical’s assets with a terrific cast and outrageous costumes. The end result is a wild, campy romp that gives Victorian sexual sensibilities a good drubbing.

The musical is based on Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist,” but with a twist. Here our innocent young protagonist is at the age of consent, and isn’t so pure – he enjoys the physical punishment he receives at the hands of others. Good thing, because Twist seems to get thrashings everywhere he goes, from the workhouse to the undertaker’s to the mean and seedy streets of London. His young cohorts on the streets are hustlers as well as pickpockets, and Fagin is the cross-dressing queen of the thieving brood.

But “Twist” makes no commentary on the ill treatment of the poor. No grand statements about family. And certainly no moralizing. It’s all hedonistic fun, whether that means getting off on a lashing, dressing in drag or strapping on stilettos. “A little bit of what you like will do you good,” as the characters sing. Everyone, the musical seems to be saying, is a little twisted, and that’s OK.

Twist isn’t even looking for a family, so there’s no mystery of identity to get in the way of the real story, which is the love triangle between Twist, Fagin and The Artful Dodger. Diversionary and director James Vasquez have cast a trifecta of talent for the roles: Jacob Caltrider, David McBean and Tom Zohar.

Caltrider’s sweetly boyish features and lovely voice are perfectly suited for the role of Twist. McBean is stunning as usual in drag – barking ferociously as dominatrix Fagin while delicately balancing atop 6-inch stilettos. He evokes both Fagin’s deadly cruelty and humorous self-absorption. Zohar stretches his range, bringing a bad boy sexual energy to his role as the Dodger. His solo number, “Sucker,” which both is and isn’t (wink, wink) about Dodger’s candy fetish, is one of the show’s musical highlights.

Composer Leschen has crafted a score filled with mostly satisfying ballads, pop-rock and disco-tinged tunes, some of which are catchy enough to stick in the brain without being overly conventional. The band consists of musical director Tim McKnight on keyboards, Nathan Hubbard on percussion and Jonathan Davis on guitar. Sand’s book includes predictable gay humor, innuendos and double entendres, as well as the occasional unexpected zinger.

The supporting cast includes Tony Houck in two hilarious roles, first as the sadistic workhouse taskmaster and then as a cross-dressing member of Fagin’s gang. Amy Northcutt makes a fine Nancy, Andy Collins induces laughter as he slinks about the stage as the undertaker, and Jimmy Latimer fills a number of roles in the ensemble. Jackie Cuccaro, who plays dual roles as the undertaker’s wife and Lady Downlow, has a good feel for the comedy, though her singing is not as strong as the rest of this vocally muscular cast. Scott Striegel has the vocal range, though not the physicality, to play the violent brute Bill Sikes.

Now, about those costumes. Jeannie Galioto must have had a ball putting together the looks for this production. She lavishly combines Victorian fashion with steampunk, bondage, burlesque and goth sensibilities in loving detail. Pay close attention to the shoes, which might have been managed by shoe fetishist Lady Downlow herself. You’ll get a good look at them when Downlow’s wall of shoes is revealed, each item of footwear exhibited as if it were a museum piece.

Kristin Ellert’s set is an odd mix of industrial/urban strip club and 1950s wood-paneled Tiki room. And, oddly, it works for the musical’s shifting locales and past-meets-present feel. Stephen Sakowski’s lighting also contributes to the changing moods and locations. Director Vasquez keeps the pacing and scene changes quick, and Ellert’s sliding panels and hidden features certainly help in that regard.

While “Twist” may not boast a sturdy book, the enjoyable music and skillful cast in Diversionary’s production go a long way in making up for it. The musical’s celebratory take on individual fetishes, self-expression and self-acceptance complements the values of San Diego LGBT Pride, so it’s only fitting that “Twist” is an official event of the Pride Festival (July 18-19).