Bay Creek

Masterful Storytelling!

This show is proof that you don't need complex effects or production values to be creepy. All you need is a strong story told well, and this show absolutely does that. The lead (and only? I'm not sure if the overhead voice is recorded and cued or live) performer switches effortlessly between his two states, like flipping a light switch on and off. He tells the story of four generations of crime-ridden shenanigans with such relatable energy that.. yeah, they're technically the bad guys. Some more than others. But you still want to root for them. See this show while you can. At the time of my review, there's only one performance left, and I'm urging everyone I know to put this high on their list. It's a strong contender for my favorite Fringe show.

Beware the current

Spooky and compelling, full of rural river lore. Derek’s storytelling is absolutely riveting and more than one will leave you looking over your shoulder with a chill running up your spine. Shoutout to the simple and brilliantly effective lighting design by Jackson Funke

So good, everyone loved it!

This was done so well. I've never been to a one man show or seen acting/anything like this before. First time hearing about Fringe Fest and we decided we had to go. This was one of the shows we absolutely had to go and see. My husband said that he was enthralled the entire time. My 15yo son was hanging on every word. It was great to get them off of their screens and getting some culture! Highly recommend the show. It was funny, it was sad, it was mysterious... It had it all! I'm so glad we went and chose this show!

Lots of Potential, Falls Short

I had a hard time sticking with this show. Miller is obviously an accomplished performer, and the world into which he invites us is genuinely interesting. But the structure of the writing and the performance made it difficult for me to immerse myself in the world he envisions. First, it's a bit of a climb to do a storytelling show when setting up a situation where the storyteller is reluctant to tell the stories. The drama this situation creates did not compensate for the lack of clarity it presents. Second, this story is highly dependent on a wide variety of flashbacks, and it's tricky to pull that off without taking special care to keep a focus that keeps the piece on track. I thought it fell down here - we had several characters with very similar names in flashbacks that covered a wide variety of time. At one moment, we are 70 years ago, at another we're 20 years ago, then we're a few weeks ago. I had trouble keeping it all straight and eventually quit caring. My attention started wondering and I was gone. It would have been nice to have an anchor (perhaps in the present) to which we returned to help us keep everything straight. Some variation in the nature of the performance between flashbacks might have also helped. I loved the idea, but it felt to me that it just kept getting in its own way. I wanted to like this more than I did.

Great Stuff

I missed this at TC Horror Fest so getting an "encore" performance was great. It felt very horror podcast-core, but the lighting and some very strong performance choices justified it being on stage. Definitely recommended!

Enthralling!

Wow! This was masterfully done. Chilling.

Wonderful performer and tense all the way through

A haunting, well-written script and a powerful performance--the tension and details were compelling all the way through

Were we really in bare theater w/a chair & table?

Creativity 5; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 4 When the lights went on, I was shocked! Derek had drawn such a clear picture of the creek and surroundings that I was there, not in the nearly bare theater with just him, a chair, and a table. It was an incredible feeling as a result of his acting skills. And Rob Ward as the voice over? Made a great experience even better. Only one (small) gripe: it was tough to keep the characters apart, maybe a family tree of both families in the program, or maybe the cops could have one laying on the table that he looks at (and shows to us).

Fantastic Horror Show

This show was really excellent! Even though it's just one actor, he does a fantastic job inhabiting different characters throughout the show, so it never feels boring. The horror in the situation is never over-the-top, never too obvious. It's definitely present and apparent from the start, but the script and the performance do an excellent job of making the scale and danger of it build over the course of the show. I was sad to miss this one at the TC horror fest last year, but I'm so glad it came back around for Fringe this year! Definitely going to be one of my favorite performances of the whole Fringe, I can already tell.

Frightening Precision

I woke up at 4am and had to turn all of the lights on as I went to get water in my kitchen. I knew that there would be a monstrous void following me, ready to charge. The steady pace and haunting delivery of this piece is what true horror is all about - a story that infiltrates your mind in the darkest hour. Kudos on this incredible script! From, a fellow Illinoisan.

Master Class

If you want to become a master storyteller, watch this guy. Solid writing, great commitment, excellent physical work, nice vocal variety, and great building of suspense. This one gets my vote for Best of the Fringe. See it if you can.

Pulse-pounding storytelling

Derek Miller's tight, focused storytelling kept audience members rapt at our 10pm performance. The script is darkly vivid and grippingly embodied, conjuring eerie landscapes, shadowy characters, and a startling conclusion as all the threads come together. This show leaves an impact that lasts long after the lights go down!

Incredible Performance

I love rural horror and crime drama, so I expected to like this. It was better than I'd even hoped. Simple choices that made huge impacts. Highly recommend.

Best horror show I’ve seen at Fringe in a while

Derek is a captivating storyteller who managed to to relentlessly hold my attention. I’m not usually a fan of one-man shows, but he’s got the gravitas to pull it off. Enter into the world of a man who lives within a generational curse. You can feel the tension as he weaves in family lore with humorous and horrific anecdotes. While I will admit that it was a bit hard to follow at the beginning and he might benefit from a prop or some background scenery to help establish time, his talent is enough that I can’t not give it five stars. I hope to see more of your work at Horror Fest!

Grabs You & Doesn't Let Go

Bay Creek isn't the type of show I'd usually seek out at Fringe — but I'm so glad I did. A haunting, well-written script and a powerful, wonderful performance from Derek Lee Miller. This story grabed me immediately and did not let go. Sometimes the best Fringe discoveries are the ones you didn't expect. Don't miss this spooky tale.

So, Engaging

I just love when you a grab a show, that you wouldn't normally see. You have an open spot between two of your must see shows and it turns out to be fantastic. Wonderful storytelling, intriguing story that kept you on the edge of your seat. I definitely will keep an eye out for Derek Lee Miller, I want to see and hear more!

Best of Fringe

A one man tour de force. I was mesmerized by the tightness of the writing. I was in awe of the clean/clear choices and the precision of the acting. I was captivated by the spare, effective lighting. I was transported by the highly effective soundscape. I was incredibly impressed by the professionalism of the entire production. My Best of Fringe for this year.

Utterly hypnotic

Really happy I got to see this one after unfortunately missing it at Horrorfest last year. The effortless sense of dread in every second of this show makes its hour runtime feel like ten minutes.

Twice as Nice with Greater Fright

I first saw Derrick perform "Bay Creek" at the Elgin Fringe Festival and then again here in Minnesota. Twice is nicer with greater fright. Knowing the story doesn't spoil. It increases the thrill and eeriness of the journey. In this brilliant solo performance, Derrick embodies how a horrific force to be wrecked with haunts generations in his family. Gone is gone, but not necessarily dead. I loved sitting front and center right up to the end!

Amazing storytelling, gripping

I loved this show. Excellent performance, the stories being told wove together beautifully, it held my attention completely. I'm usually not a fan of one man shows but this one worked perfectly. It all wrapped up into one hell of a conclusion. I have the world's tiniest suggestion / complaint / thought, about the literal final thing that happens on stage. Trying to not spoil anything here because really, everyone should experience this tale as blind as possible. To Dr. Miller, I think the final moment should have a different noise associated with it - maybe a mighty roll of thunder, or a great roar of rushing water?

Stay away from the creek

I'd seen this show at the Twin Cities Horror Fest and am happy to say a second viewing is even better than the first. Derek Lee Miller is an excellent story teller. The lighting and sparse scene create a spooky eerie mood. Something really is out there. When the time comes, will you say YES or NO? See this show and then decide.

A Gem

Derek Lee Miller is so talented, and he was totally in control of this gripping and atmospheric tale. I’m so glad I got to experience this, since I missed it at the horror fest. Recommended!

“Creek Bay:” Off the Record, On the Mark

The evocative “Bay Creek” is one long intense interrogation scene, and it was transfixing to watch all the ways Derek Lee Miller chooses to unspool that thread. Deft lighting and acting were able to make the Barbara Center as small as an office or as infinite as an abyss.

Focused and Lean

This play is precise and effective with one very dialed-in performer, simple but strong light choices, and audio for plot and atmosphere. I was a little worried going to the opening 10pm show, as it was the third one-man show I was seeing that day. The late night was a perfect opening, and the experience was uniquely engaging due to the strong, spooky script. Some shows just get under your skin.