The budding actor will play the main character, Joe, who is diagnosed with cancer and in a hospital bed alongside his mother Tessa (played by Erin Williams). 

The story is a tale of two.

The first is a story of a mother and son and their difficult journey to combat cancer.

This sits alongside a more unexpected storyline, where the pair is transported to a fictional universe, inspired by the best-selling children’s book Masquerade, written by British author Kit Williams.

The light-hearted musical almost eclipses the clawing grasp of reality, and follows the journey of the hopeless Jack Hare (Blake Selmes) who helps the Moon tell the Sun he is in love with her. 

It is a colourful mesh of colour, sounds and imagination, Williams said. “As we’re reading the book, the story is coming to life in what we call a celestial world. 

“Amazing crazy characters from the book come to life and act out the story we’re reading.

“It’s a wonderful, heartwarming, funny, sad, bittersweet and lovely story.”

Love is the main theme of the play: the love between a mother and her son; the love between the Moon and the Sun; the love of imagination, colour and music; and, more importantly, the love we are able to find in a time when everything becomes too tough.

During dress rehearsals, the conversation of Wade’s hair for the role was raised. It didn’t take long for him to decide he would shave off his hair for the show, but also to raise money for cancer research. 

It was a broken pinky finger that led him to his final decision. “I had to spend one day in hospital. It was super boring,” he recalled.

“Having to be in hospital every day would be really hard, so I just wanted to shave my hair and raise money for the people who have to do that.”

Both Wade’s father Ben and Williams joined in chorus to appreciate the young boy’s maturity. He will shave off his hair on January 31 at the Lieder Theatre among family and friends. 

“This kid is pretty amazing,” Williams said.

“We have explored some difficult conversations and concepts for an 11-year-old kid to wrangle with and bring to life. He is doing exceptionally well. It’s going to be a really special play.” 

Masquerade will open on Valentine’s Day and run for three weeks until March 3. Night performances will start at 7.30pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Matinees will be held on February 25 at 4pm, and March 3 at 2pm.

To donate, head to Wade’s Big Shave on Facebook.