The Devil and the DMV by Nora Louise Syran

(A ten minute play) The Devil arrives in another circle of hell, the department of motor vehicles, to renew his driver's license. How hard can it be? For Hell's sake, he has been driving since Henry Ford rolled his Model T off the assembly line. But no one, not even the Devil trapped in his own circles of Hell, is above the law.

Performed at the Heartland Theatre --Young at Heart-- October 18 and 20, 2023
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The Devil and the DMV

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  • Tom Erb:
    20 Apr. 2024
    “ In “The Devil and the DMV,” Syran masterfully blends bureaucracy with infernal humor. Set in a DMV within an undefined circle of hell, the Devil grapples with mundane paperwork to renew his driver’s license. The witty exchanges between the imperious Devil and the unflappable DMV Officer create delightful comedic conflict. Syran’s clever exploration of absurdity and frustration resonates, making this play a devilishly entertaining experience. ”
  • Tom Moran:
    6 Dec. 2023
    “ The comparison between the DMV and damnation is a rich one, and Syran does a great job mining it for laughs in this fun piece. It's hard to make a reader feel sympathy for the devil (as it were) but this play pulls it off, as even the Prince of Darkness' cruelty pales before that of this bureaucratic nightmare. ”
  • John Busser:
    5 Dec. 2023
    “ The Devil's in the details, and Nora Louise Syran knows them all. This is an absolute hoot and a half, and Lucifer attempts what us mortals know is its own brand of Hell. From circular logic to the need for a driving test (He is over 75 after all), no area of this absurd premise is un-mined for comedic potential. I would love to see this play produced and I think an audience would have a field day with it. ”
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Devil; One Male
DMV Officer: Male or Female