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Mayor Rob Ford is pictured in Toronto on July 15, 2014.Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press

The creators of a new musical about Toronto Mayor Rob Ford say the show will go on despite his cancer diagnosis — but they are scrapping a planned opening night party and red carpet.

Producer Brett McCaig said they would also "dim the marquee" in light of Wednesday's revelation that Ford has been diagnosed with malignant liposarcoma.

McCaig and P. Joseph Regan wrote the book and lyrics for "Rob Ford the Musical: Birth of a Ford Nation," which has been in previews and is slated to open Thursday at Toronto's Factory theatre and run through Sept. 28.

Anthony Bastianon composed 10 original tunes for the story in which a "spiritual guide" leads Ford through the past year of his tumultuous life — including his admitted drug use and stint in rehab.

In the statement, McCaig said the producers weighed their options carefully and have contractual obligations to the cast, crew and theatre staff.

He said the production would be collecting donations for the Canadian cancer society at each show.

"We are a small company, using our own private funds and employing 25 actors and industry professionals," McCaig said in a statement. "Months of work, rehearsals, time and dollars have been poured into this passion project."

Actor-singer Sheldon Bergstrom of Prince Albert, Sask., landed the lead role of Ford after a nation-wide search.

Liz Gilroy directs the show that has several other recognizable characters, including novelist Margaret Atwood and councillor brother Doug Ford, who has joined the mayoral race in his brother's stead.

McCaig told The Canadian Press earlier this summer that the show was intended to bring a humanistic quality to a scandal-plagued mayor who has "become this two-dimensional cartoon character."

"We all send our best wishes to Rob Ford and his family," he said Wednesday in the statement.

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