"Chi — A New Era in Circus," the phenomenon that fuses acrobatics and martial arts, is all about cultural fortitude. It played Hawai'i last year, and kicks off its second North American tour in Honolulu on Wednesday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

"We did pretty well, the first time in this country," said Mark Maluso, the show's producing agent who has a three-year relationship with the troupe. "The box-office success could have been better, but certainly, there has been critical acclaim."

Maluso, speaking between rehearsals in New York City, said the company of 28 plus an off-stage contingent of administrative and support staff come from a different part of China this year. Thus, the athleticism is much tighter.

"The last cast mostly came from Shanghai; this one is largely from Harbin, farther north, an area sandwiched between Russia and inner Mongolia," said Maluso. "But they are similar in technique and style. And this group is — what's the word — strenuously trained, and a lot more athletic than the subjects of Shanghai."

"Chi" is a Taoist word relating to body energy. In context of the attraction, "Chi" is clearly the manipulation of body energy, translating to physical poetry.

As executive producer and agent for the company in North America, Maluso said "Chi" is unquestionably folkloric in appeal.

"I like to think it's an attraction, the way Michael Jordan is in slam-dunking the basketball, and pushing his body to the limit," he said. "The performers are like that — experts in balance and form, and clearly linked to their cultural roots — working to extremes. This kind of acrobatics and athleticism is very big in all regions of China; in this particular area, Harbin, there is serious attention to the art.

"What we are doing is somewhat of a hybrid — taking the folkloric element and marrying it to the Western, with costumes and a proscenium stage, that plays to people attracted to the peculiarity and extraordinary physical plane."

Call it a modern-day circus in a theater, without animals or a circus ring, but with uncanny and amazing feats on the ground and in the air.

Company members start training at a very young age, perhaps 4 or 5. "It's sort of like a professional athlete, where there's only a window of time when they're at their peak. I think a 'Riverdance' analogy can be made, where perhaps dancers are at their peak from their mid-20s to their 30s."

"Chi" troupers range in age from 17 to 29.

The highly talented specialists have populated many productions of the Cirque du Soleil calibre, bringing cultural diversity outside the nation and on to the main stage throughout the globe.

"Quite seriously, you've seen these players in Cirque productions around the world," he said. "They have to be extraordinary, to do what they do."

The material evolves, according to the talent at hand. For this go-round, "Chi" will feature repertory segments such as stacking chairs, hovering cranes and flying butterflies — sequences that have won laurels in international competition.

After Honolulu, the troupe ventures to Maui, then embarks on a two-month journey to cities in California, Arizona, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Georgia and Iowa.

A fusion of acrobatics and martial arts, presented by IMG Artists, China Performing Arts Agency and Tim Bostock Productions

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.