Also this issue: Phrenic Pace After two years, Phrenic New Ballet continues to spin off of classical dance. -Lewis Whittington Hot and New Brave the summer heat to check out Vox Populi's newest batch of artists. -Robin Rice Rosalie Knecht -Paul Burress Philadelphia Black Theatre Festival -Juliet Fletcher "A Sense of Place" -Debra Auspitz

August 22-28, 2002

artpicks

Bruce Campbell

by Sam Adams

There's nothing like seeing Bruce Campbell work a crowd. The jut-jawed B-movie king best known for the Evil Dead trilogy, Campbell prides himself on his working-stiff approach to the glamour profession, though he occasionally turns up in studio fare like Spider-Man (as the ring announcer who gives Spidey his moniker) or this week's Serving Sara. In his autobiography If Chins Could Kill (L.A. Weekly/Thomas Dunne), Campbell unflinchingly recounts the various indignities visited upon him while engaging in what most people think would be their dream job, all while admitting that he's lucky to do what he does. Campbell returns that gratitude to his fans; at his last Philly signing, the cult icon sat fans down while he signed, not only answering questions but also posing some of his own. (Signing a book for my younger brother, Campbell asked what he did for a living; after finding out he was in "the business," he inscribed the book, "I pity you.") Chins' new edition comes with a 40-page account of the tour for the book's hardcover edition, including an encounter, on Page 315, with "Barbara," the "self-proclaimed Smut Queen of Philadelphia," better known as City Paper adult advertising goddess Toni Flynn. And Bruce, she says it's fine if you use her real name in the next edition.

Bruce Campbell book signing and screening of his documentary Fanalysis, Mon., Aug. 26, 5:30 p.m., free, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700. Followed by screening of Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn, at 9:30, $10.

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