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The Cutting Room has announced that it will close its doors on January 13, following the 7:30 pm performance by legendary comedian Joan Rivers.

The venue cites an "untenable rent increase" as the reason for shuttering, with the landlord more than doubling the current rent. The club is owned by actor Chris Noth and musician Steve Walter, who plan to reopen in a new Manhattan location in 2009.

Rivers, who has used The Cutting Room to workshop new material for the last four years, is also playing the club January 6 and 7. Proceeds from her shows benefit God's Love We Deliver and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Additional artists performing before the venue's closing include drag performer Dina Martina (January 4 - 8); Jimmy Webb (January 10), Bjorkestra (January 11) and long-running late night favorite Le Scandal Burlesque (January 3 & 10).

For a complete schedule, visit www.thecuttingroomnyc.com.