It is based on the original Australian series of the same name, created by Helena Harris and Posie Graeme-Evans, and was filmed and produced in Australia.

Word Play features a puppet named Chatterbox, who assists in the exploration of language through stories and rhymes.

[1][4] The cast consisted of Kimee Balmilero, Curtis Cregan, Jennifer Korbee (née Peterson-Hind), Karla Cheatham Mosley and Shaun Taylor-Corbett.

[vague] New touring members Sydney James and Yasmeen Sulieman joined Balmilero, Cregan, and Korbee, but were not featured in the television series.

[5] The debut album of the group, Jump and Jive with Hi-5, corresponded with the first season of the show and was released in September 2004 by Koch Entertainment.

Chris Harriott was the primary composer of the show, with the songs written for the Australian group also being used for the American cast.

[13][14][15] Sydney James and Yasmeen Sulieman joined the group in August 2006, replacing Taylor-Corbett and Cheatham Mosley respectively, but were not featured in the television series.