When Huntington native David Lowman first started working as an illusionist impersonating women, he wasn't thrilled to be told he looked a little like country star Reba McEntire. "I was a little offended," he admitted. After all, why not somebody much more glamorous such as Dolly Parton or Barbara Streisand? "But I started studying her and I actually fell in love with her," said Lowman, who now lives in Raleigh, N.C. Audiences at shows thought he looked a heck of a lot like McEntire, too. "Within six months, I was in the press and Reba's friends told her about me," he said. When McEntire went on tour a couple of years ago, she invited Lowman along as part of her show. "I got to travel all 50 states and become her friend," said Lowman, whose tour included a stop in Charleston. "It was a great experience."

Actor David Lowman looks so much like country star Reba McEntire when he's made up that the real Reba once had him tour with her as part of her show.

"I've done very well for someone that didn't want to make this a career," he said.

In fact, before his amateur work -- done on stages in the Charleston and Huntington areas -- was "discovered," Lowman worked for AT&T in Charleston.

"It started out just to be a fun thing," he said. "It was friends and a good time -- a party. I was impressed by the idea of not just wanting to look like a woman, but to impersonate the stars."

"I still consider myself an actor," he said. "I do not run around dressed like a woman when I'm not on stage. I don't want to be a woman. I'm strictly an actor."

Lowman said he doesn't forget his start -- and his good friends -- in Charleston. Saturday and Sunday, he returns as part of the cast of an illusion show that is a fundraiser for Covenant House and to honor its longtime, outgoing directors, Pat Hussey and Barbara Ferraro.

"When I lived in Charleston, they were so good for the community. Knowing they were going to leave, I said I've got to do something in gratitude for them," he said.

Lowman, who followed his McEntire tour with gigs in Las Vegas and movie appearances -- the latest being "Miss Congeniality 2" -- has assembled an all-star cast of performers that includes Charleston's own Ted Brightwell, known for his impersonation of

Barbra Streisand, and Las Vegas stars such as James "Gypsy" Haake, a 74-year-old performer with a resume that includes television and movies.

"He's going to make the show," Lowman said. "I will be in the shadow of him."

The 90-minute show includes the actors each doing at least two characters and the actor portraying Tina Turner actually sings live.

Lowman said he's glad he's reached a point in his career where he can give time to events such as this.

"I'll keep doing this as long as I can make a difference in this world and help people less fortunate.

"This is an art for me. This is total art."

If you go:
What: Divas Almost Live: An Impersonation Review
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: West Virginia State University Capitol Center Theater
Cost: $15; proceeds benefit Covenant House
Info: Tickets are available at the theater, 342-6522, or Visions Day Spa on Capitol Street, 346-5620