Style over substance, high production-value spectacle, and well-known hits strung together by a vague plot: I give you the jukebox musical.

Mamma Mia; Jersey Boys; We Will Rock You – they’ve all found a home on the Civic stage, and audiences know what they’re getting: a sugary hit as sweet as the show-themed cocktails offered at the theatre bar.

Flashdance is less spectacular than its jukebox musical counterparts however, and seems to struggle to find its feet. The film, while adored by fans, was slaughtered by critics and the musical adaption seems to be no different.

It tells the story of Alex, a tough and angst-driven steel mill worker determined to prove herself. She works nights as an exotic dancer at the local bar, all the while dreaming of a career as a professional ballerina.

It opens at the steel mill with an undercover-boss scenario, as the obviously out-of-place heir to the mill empire, Nick, tries to strike up a rapport with young Alex, who’s more concerned with his lack of safety gear (clearly aware of the new health and safety legislation). And so the weak romantic subplot grinds into gear – there’s more sparks flying from the welding equipment than between the two leads.

But then Flashdance was never going to be about the plot – its main offering is flashes of 80s nostalgia and a string of MTV-style song and dance numbers featuring Madonna-inspired hairstyles and costumes, which veterans of the era will no doubt appreciate. It’s set against a grey and grungy corrugated iron and graffiti-clad backdrop, typifying the understated 80s film genre. The familiar hits Maniac, I Love Rock’n’Roll and What a Feeling feature alongside new songs written specifically for the show – with a few too many reprises that slow down the pace, especially in the first act.

In terms of theatrical climaxes, it’s a flash in the pan, but the talent of the cast is undeniably strong. Despite the minimal character development and lacking material, the performers manage to win over the audience and the second half presents moments for genuine applause and ‘whoops’ from a clearly invested crowd as the characters come out on top.

Julia Macchio as Alex Owens brings warmth and plenty of gumption to the role, and her strong belter voice is perfect for the musical style. She has the audience with her all the way as she carries the show along. Supporting actors Hannah K Macdonald (Gloria) and Nic Casuala (Jimmy) also have heart-warming and crowd-pleasing moments as a down and out couple trying to find their place in the world.

However you can’t help feeling like the cast is underutilised by a book and choreography that leave you wanting more. The final and iconic audition sequence dance number is captivating, and Macchio more than proves her dancing chops, but it also serves to highlight how little actual dancing we saw up until that point. She does of course also recreate the famous water-dousing scene, but that feels too like it’s over before it’s begun.

Nevertheless, the show is a homage to an era, a familiar plot with films like Fame, Footloose, Dirty Dancing, and even A Chorus Line (which took a look at dancers at the other end of the career) proving that the theme of the unsung star determined to get ahead and make it big keeps people coming back for more.  It’s an easy watch, and delivers on nostalgia, but is probably best suited to die-hard fans of the film.

Flashdance is running at The Civic in Auckland from Thursday 21 April until Sunday 1 May.