What is Hi-5? Information about the band, Hi-5 (USA / American)

Hi-5 is an American children's television program, based on the original Australian TV show. The show has been nominated for an Emmy Award three years in a row, and has won countless other awards since its debut in 2003. Aside from being a show, Hi-5 is also a children's band, similar to The Wiggles. The group frequently tours the U.S. and Canada and performs to sell-out crowds of preschoolers.

As Hi-5 was such a hugely popular show in Australia, an American group was assembled and Hi-5 made its U.S. debut in February 2003 (featuring American performers in the same roles as the original Australian version). The American version is shot in the same studios that the Australian version is shot in Sydney. The American show has episodes airing every weekday on The Learning Channel and Discovery Kids, and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2005, 2006, and 2007. In addition, the Fall 2004 Parent's Choice Award was given to their first CD, "Jump and Jive with Hi-5".

As the show became increasingly popular, the cast appeared and performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, on CBS's Early Show, and NBC's Today Show, among others. During their Today Show segment, Matt Lauer, the show's host, compared the group's popularity with The Beatles.

Hi-5 toured theatres and arenas in the U.S. in 2005, playing live to sold-out crowds in Hartford, Boston, Columbus, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Tallahassee, and Raleigh. Beginning August 19, 2006, over 2 weeks of concerts were held at Vancouver's PNE, with additional concerts at Sesame Place and at Target book festivals in Minneapolis and New York City.

The members of Hi-5 visit families and kids alike during their 'off' time, helping in relief efforts for victims of both Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Katrina, visiting children at Target House (a facility servicing St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis), and helping with other benefits. Individual members often work with their own project or charity, such as Karla's work with 6th, 7th, and 8th grade kids at an after-school program.
 

	Hi-5: Move Your Body
	Hi-5: Action Heroes

Cast Members
Curtis Cregan, from Okemos, Michigan, starred on Broadway in Rent and is currently engaged to Jenn Gambatese.

Jennifer Peterson-Hind, a native of Madison, Wisconsin, toured with The American Folklore theater for three summers. Her solo album, Give a Girl a Reason, is due out in February 2007. She married her long time boyfriend Tom Korbee in the summer of 2006.

Kimee Balmilero, a Filipina born and raised in Hawaii, performed in Miss Saigon on tour and made her Broadway debut in Mamma Mia!.

Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Native American, appeared on All My Children and studied Shakespeare at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. He left the series in the summer of 2006 to perform in the off-Broadway show Altar Boyz.

Karla Cheatham-Mosley, was raised in Westchester, New York. She left the series in the summer of 2006 to concentrate on working in New York musical theatre.
 

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Posted: 03/19/2007  Popularity: 294