If you happen to take a trip to the Porter Auditorium this coming weekend and you see a familiar local football coach donning a wig and full face of makeup, don’t blink or rub your eyes — you saw correctly. 

Alcovy football coach Chris Edgar just finished his first season at the helm of the Tigers’ football program, enjoying a 4-6 2016 season record, which was a vast improvement from the last two years. 

But this weekend, he’ll trade in his headset, clipboard and tough coaching exterior to take on the role of Mother Ginger in the Newton County Arts Association’s annual depiction of The Nutcracker. 

Mother Ginger is a comedic role in the play, which will be performed by the local Ballet Company this coming weekend with showtimes set for Friday and Saturday evening. 

The role, according to Edgar, is always played by a guy, and when he was approached to do the role, he jumped at the opportunity — perhaps for a few selfish reasons. 

“Number one, I get to see my eight year old daughter, Blythe dance,” Edgar said. “My daughter’s been a dancer, so this will give me the opportunity to get to see her dance literally from the stage.” 

But Edgar said he also doesn’t mind allowing himself to be the subject of a few finger points and giggles to help the Arts Association put on a good show. 

“Yes, this will be the first time I’ve ever adorned a female wig and makeup for the ballet,” Edgar said. “But I don’t have any embarrassment gene whatsoever. Before I became head coach, I used to do all kinds of crazy stuff like this for our pep rallies. But I don’t mind putting myself out there for a great cause like this. Buncie Lanners and the Arts Association always does a great job in Covington with things like this.” 

The Nutcracker will play three times this weekend at Porter, with 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. showings on Saturday December 10 and a 3 p.m. showing on Sunday December 11. And while Edgar has no qualms playing the role for a large crowd, he gave a hearty chuckle when asked what he thought his football players might say if any of them saw their coach on stage. 

“I don’t know if they really know about this or not,” he said. “They keep telling me, ‘Make sure all your boys know and that they come.’ So I guess if they see this in the paper, they’ll know then.”