New Kids' show stars Hawai'i stage talent

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Kimee Balmilero, 23, of Kane'ohe, is in the cast of the new kids' show "Hi-5," which premieres today on The Learning Channel. Discovery Channel 'Hi-5' 7:30 a.m. weekdays, from today The Learning Channel

The 23-year-old Kane'ohe native toured with a national company for "Miss Saigon" and performed on Broadway in "Mamma Mia" last year. She used to be known as Kim-E, but "because children may get confused, I'm Kimee on 'Hi-5,'" she said.

Balmilero danced in Honolulu as a member of the 24/7 company.

"Hi-5" comes to American television as part of the "Ready Set Learn!" block of educational shows on TLC.

In Australia, where it originated five years ago, the show is huge, Balmilero said. "All the preschoolers know the songs and the dances."

That's why its makers decided to launch an American version with five actors cast from New York. Balmilero brings a multicultural look (she's Filipino).

In the premiere episode, Kimee and her partners, Karla Cheatham-Mosley, Curtis Cregan, Jennifer Peteson-Hind and Shaun Taylor-Corbett, explore the five senses with a few puppet friends, using sing-along verses and exaggerated movements that put a live-wire edge on the material. The show is taped in front of a young studio audience.

"It's really like a huge party, and we're all teachers of sorts, but we don't teach in the usual way," Balmilero said. "We're really playing with the kids as they're learning — and that's a cool way to learn."

The actors teach by demonstrating and reinforce with repetition. And yes, there's a sing-along theme song.

Balmilero is still adjusting to working on television. "I'm so used to the stage, I have to hold back some energy," she said. "The thing is, you cannot patronize; you want to be welcome in their world. We're all big brothers and big sisters to the target audience."

As with any audition, she was sent by her agent to read for the part. "I was late, but luckily they saw me, called me back, and now I'm part of the show," she said.

It's tough work, she said, because the show tapes five episodes in Australia over two days. With 45 shows in the can between September and February, she's completed her first season.

"Keeps my brains working," Balmilero said of the frisky pace. "With a Broadway show, you're doing the same show eight times a week. On this show, we have new scripts, new songs, new scenes, new everything, every week. You're working on one episode with your mind on the next one. But I love it. It's great for building memorization skills."

Balmilero said she just got called to return to the cast of "Mamma Mia." Meanwhile, she awaits the response of American youngsters to "Hi-5.

"I hope we have another season," she said. She said she would leave the world of ABBA songs for the whirlpool of antics in "Hi-5" again.