Between remakes of The Stepford Wives, and sitcoms ranging from “Desperate Housewives” to “Weeds,” it’s easy to think the catty, sterile, back-stabbing nature of suburbia has been played out recently as a topic for satire. It turns out that all you need is some super show tunes and some women who can fly to keep the genre fresh.

The Witches of Eastwick, making its U.S. premiere at Signature Theater, after a successful run in London years ago, is that rare gem of a new Broadway musical without any of the typical handicaps. The show lacks cheesy lyrics and forgettable melodies, and doesn’t need to rely on the crutch of ready-made songs or Disney characters, either. Eric Schaeffer has smoothly adapted his British version to the U.S stage, and the result is one of the most polished, entertaining productions the area has seen this season.

For those unfamiliar with the 80s film, starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michele Pfeiffer, Witches features three women –- the brash sculptress Alexandra (Emily Skinner), the repressed cellist Jane (Christiane Noll) and the stuttering journalist Sukie (Jacquelyn Piro Donovan). They’re the only ones who have managed to resist the trappings of suburban life in Eastwick, but as a result are bored out of their minds. Almost as if summoned, a sensual stranger Darryl Van Horne (Marc Kudisch). They become a foursome (yes, sexually), and he begins teaching them other things –- namely, magic. Naturally, things begin to get sinister.