Two rarely-done style pieces will be presented by Chino Community Theatre that offer audiences the opportunity to take in an absurdist black comedy and one of the best-kept secrets in minimalist theatre:

• Self-Torture and Strenuous Exercise by Harry Kondoleon
• Scooter Thomas Makes it to the Top of the World by Peter Parnell

Five performances only at Seventh Street Theatre, 13123 Seventh Street in Chino. Tickets are $15 general admission and $12 for students and seniors. For reservations and information, call (909) 590-1149. Co-sponsored by the City of Chino. http://www.chinocommunitytheatre.org/.

Act I: Self-Torture… is an absurd black comedy about two couples, caught in a web of infidelity and psychosis. Alvin escapes his unpalatable reality by retreating into a world of pots and pans; Bethany, collapsing under the weight of her out-ed affair spews macbre poetry. Failing at suicide, a gauze-bound and Valium popping Adel suspects her cheating husband of wanting to pull her stitches out. Her too-smooth husband, Carl, wins a literary prize for “The Motel of the Heart,” a novel Adel claims she wrote. Paranoia, delusion and self-loathing have never been so funny! Directed by M. Michele Richardson.

Act II: Scooter Thomas… takes place in the mind of a man who has just learned of the untimely death of his best friend. Dennis and Scooter re-live significant moments from history class to Hatch’s Cliff; first times, to final goodbyes. Highlighting the milestones in the lives of two boys, this play will make audiences laugh, cry and think about the depth to which we impact and are impacted by the friends we choose. Directed by Melodie Henderson.

These plays are rated PG-13 for strong language. Featuring Christopher Diehl, Chad Granier, Melodie Henderson, Michelle Knight, Jeremy Magouirk and Spencer Mansouri.