BY SCOTT STIFFLER | It’s fitting that one of the first world premiere commissions to inhabit newly minted Hudson Yards arts mecca The Shed mirrors that eight-level gallery, theater, and rehearsal venue’s versatility.

Billed as a “kung fu musical,” Dragon Spring Phoenix Rise requires of its 20-member cast a mastery of combat skills, physical comedy, acrobatics, singing, dancing, aerial work, and acting. It’s a tall order for anyone who didn’t grow up on the vaudeville circuit of old, and, as such, didn’t happen overnight.

“Over the past year,” notes director Chen Shi-Zheng, in his program notes, “I have cast an ensemble of performers who not only have strong physical abilities but are willing to put in hundreds, if not thousands, of hours to give their newly acquired martial arts training the integrity it deserves.”

Of the diverse ensemble, Shi-Zheng’s intention was “to cast actors regardless of their ethnicity because I believe human experience is not exclusive but rather transcendental in nature. Our ‘Chinese story’ is acted by performers of many backgrounds.” Like “America at its best,” says Shi-Zheng, the genre-melding tale “is about shared cultural values and experiences.”

Dragon Spring Phoenix Rise lifts the veil on a present-day secret sect in Flushing, Queens, whose magical ability to extend human life sees fraternal twin brother and sister Little Phoenix and Little Dragon separated at birth, each trained to one day claim the sect’s sought-after power. That battle for everlasting life, and destiny fulfilled, is the crux of an immensely satisfying 18-years-from-now Act II, once Act I’s rivalries, betrayals, and rich/poor contrasts have been established.

In its most captivating moments, Dragon Spring soars to the same lofty heights of its visually stunning, mid-air martial arts battles—yet the proceedings remain thoroughly grounded in a uniquely “American fable” that elicits well-earned gasps and applause from the audience, at pivotal moments of adversity and triumph.

Directed by Chen Shi-Zheng. Written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger. Songs by Sia, remixed by Bobby Krlic (a.k.a. The Haxan Cloak) and Arca. Movement choreography by Akram Khan, with martial arts choreography by Zhang Jun. Running time: 100 minutes, with a brief intermission. The performance includes the use of strobe lights and haze effects. Appropriate for ages seven and up.

Through July 27 at The McCourt, at The Shed (545 W. 30th St., btw. 11th & 12th Aves.). Save up to $50 on all performances through July 21. Tickets are $99 or less, starting at $25. Starting July 24, tickets range from $40 to $155. To order tickets ($25-$99), visit theshed.org/program/5-dragon-spring-phoenix-rise.

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