Alabaster’s new AmStar Stadium 14 Cinema at the Colonial Promenade Shopping Center opened to city and county officials, developers and guests Friday night with food, entertainment, door prizes and

free movies.

Following the showing of the recently released &uot;Monster In Law&uot; with Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda, former Alabaster Councilmember Bobby Harris could not contain his enthusiasm for the city’s first movie theater and the first business to open in the new shopping center.

He shouted, &uot;Yeah, Alabaster.&uot;

Jim Jackson of Shelby Land Partners said, &uot;It’s nice to see the first fruits of the development. I’m pleased the city of Alabaster has access to this opportunity.&uot;

&uot;I see a lot of local people being employed here, which is something they have looked forward to.&uot;

Cam Ward, who serves as executive director of the Alabaster Industrial Development Board said, &uot;I know this has to be one of the most exciting days in Alabaster’s modern day history because this is the beginning of a new era of shopping in Alabaster.&uot;

Stephen Colson Sr., president and chief executive officer of AmStar Entertainment, welcomed everyone to the opening of the theater.

Colson was joined by new Miss Alabama Shannon Camper in cutting a reel of film to officially mark the theater opening.

Colson said the theater would show Star Wars at midnight Thursday morning (Wednesday night) on four screens.

The theater will begin its regular hours of operation on Thursday.

He pointed out that every screen in the theater is equipped with Dolby Surround Sound.

Among those on hand for the opening were Alabaster Police Chief Stanley Oliver;

Ward; Alabaster Mayor David Frings; Alabaster City Attorney Greg Morris; Alabaster City Administrator Tony Rivera; Alabaster councilmembers Rick Walters, Tommy Ryals, Mike Sherwood, Angela Moseley, Bob Hicks; former councilmembers Adam Moseley and Bobby Harris; former City Administrator Jimmy Gould; and other guests.

Movie characters from Magic City Productions and James Hislope a caricature artist from the Inverness area helped entertain the crowd