The Muppets have arrived in Selma.

Sharon Jackson, who will manage the theater in the Larry D. Striplin Jr.  Performing Arts Center, said Wednesday movies would come to Selma well before the Friday, Jan. 13 grand opening.

After testing the equipment Saturday, Jackson said the city is ready to give the theater a test run before the official opening. There will be showings of the newest Muppet movie Saturday at 1 and 4 p.m.

“We completed the install of all of our equipment last weekend, and we wanted to do sort of a pre-opening,” she said. “We are going to run the movie one more time on Saturday, which will be open to the general public.”

A special ticket price of $5 will be offered for the Saturday showing, Jackson said. She also said she hopes people will take advantage of the discounted rates to see the film before it leaves town.

“We really want people to bring their kids out,” she said. “It will leave after Saturday, so we want to make sure they get a chance to see it.”

As previously stated, the official grand opening of the theater will take place Friday, Jan. 13.

The movie, Jackson said, will be Mission Impossible.

The first showing on Jan. 13 will take place at 4 p.m., but, Jackson said, the grand opening ceremonies would begin at 7 p.m.

Once the theater is open, Jackson said movies will be shown Thursday nights at 7 p.m., Fridays at 4 and 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1, 4 and 7 p.m.

The 1 p.m. feature will always be a family-themed movie, Jackson said.

During the theater’s early stages, Jackson said she would monitor the need for a Sunday matinee, which could be added later.