To a theatergoer, a role can seem transformative — suddenly, a familiar performer gleams in a radiant new way.

Exhibit A — or, if we’re talking grades, A+ — is Nancy Anderson. She was wonderful in dual roles in Goodspeed Musicals’ “City of Angels” in 2011. But as Miss Adelaide in the theater’s current production of “Guys and Dolls,” she pops as a Madeline Kahn-caliber comedienne. She’s all charisma and humor and heart, and it’s as though she has her own spotlight shining on her at all times.

Granted, it doesn’t hurt that Adelaide is a gift of a role to an actress. The showgirl loves her beau Nathan Detroit but is chagrined that he seems no more apt to wed her now than during any other time in the 14 years they’ve been engaged. In the midst of the comedy, the actress lets bubble up Adelaide’s hurt over Nathan’s lack of wedded-bliss commitment and his lies over running yet another floating crap game. She wends her way through the droll lyrics of “Adelaide’s Lament,” mixing woe with sneezes; turns out Adelaide developed a psychosomatic allergy to her fiance’s lack of wedding follow-through.

But Adelaide, of course, is ultimately about the humor. Anderson delivers her priceless lines in a malleably cartoonish voice. She gets to play flamboyant moments, too, dancing and singing with Boop-ish effervescence in the campy nightclub numbers “Take Back Your Mink” and “A Bushel and a Peck.”

Anderson is the brightest light, but not the only one in this boisterous version of “Guys and Dolls.” The opening production number and a short stretch after that do feel a bit forced and manic, but give the show a chance: it settles into a groove. It percolates under the snappy direction by Don Stephenson, who happens to be “Guys and Dolls” songwriter Frank Loesser’s son-in-law. (He is married to Emily Loesser, the daughter of the late tunesmith.)

And it’s hard to find musical-comedy material more winning than “Guys and Dolls.” The Loesser songs still zing. I mean, come on: this score boasts “Luck Be A Lady” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and “Fugue for Tinhorns.”

Just as Loesser’s smart lyrics do, the Abe Burrows book cavorts with frisky humor that doesn’t feel more than six decades old. (Jo Swerling also is credited for the book, and it’s inspired by Damon Runyon’s stories and characters.)

The world of “Guys and Dolls” is peopled by wisecracking gamblers and colorful dames. Their New York City is a fantasy version of the Big Apple, brought to spectacular life on the Goodspeed stage via Paul Tate dePoo III’s scenic design; best of all is his Times Square that glows with neon lights.

The romantic entanglements here involve the aforementioned Adelaide and Nathan Detroit — and, in the main story, a suave gambler who tries to sweep a prim mission gal off for a romantic trip to Cuba, all to win a bet.

Tony Roach makes for a perfect leading man, bringing masculinity and magnetism to that gambler, Sky Masterson. His Sky is the very definition of roguishly charming.

As the object of Sky’s affections, Manna Nichols showcases a gloriously pure singing voice. Nichols’ and Roach’s performances of “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” and “I’ll Know” capture the rapture of romance. Nichols gives Sarah an appropriately straight-laced properness, but, when the character is supposed to go a bit wild in Cuba, Nichols doesn’t convey utter abandon.

As Nathan Detroit, meanwhile, Mark Price hits every one-liner with emphasis. You almost expect to hear a rimshot echo after each joke. Price and Anderson work well off each other, especially as they sass and tease on their “Sue Me” duet.

It’s a perky version of the past where these characters live, with merry looks provided by Tracy Christensen’s costume design and lithe movement from Alex Sanchez’s choreography. The whole creative team seems to have had a good deal of fun with “Guys and Dolls.”

What: "Guys and Dolls"

Where: Goodspeed Opera House, 6 Main St., East Haddam

When: Through June 20; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wed., 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 3 and 8 p.m. Sat., and 2 p.m. Sun.; also, 2 p.m. matinees on select Thursdays and 6:30 p.m. performances on select Sundays

Tickets: Start at $27, prices subject to change based on availability

Contact: (860) 873-8668, goodspeed.org