Cathy Rigby has been the definitive Peter Pan ever since the Olympic champion gymnast turned her sights on musical theater in 1974. As the boy who won’t grow up, she has flown across the stage hundreds of times, earning Tony Award nominations as best leading actress in a musical and best revival of a musical. She now returns in a new production that belies her decision five years ago to shout her last hurrah in “Neverland.” The show arrives at Wolf Trap Thursday, then will make its way across the country, pausing to enhance Broadway’s holiday season.

“The role is like an old friend,” Rigby said. “I had just come off ‘Steel Magnolias’ and missed it so much I decided to do it again. I’ve never felt this happy and excited. Each production has brought in new audiences who keep coming back, but this one is especially exciting because of the new sets and costumes and wonderful scenic design.”