Video by David Lenk, interviews by John Moore. Go-Pro video courtesy Elitch Gardens.

The 12 plays through April 26 at The Stage Theatre. World-famous Elitch Gardens does not open for its 125th season until May 2. Something had to give.

Elitch’s, now in its 21st year downtown since relocating from northwest Denver, remains  one of Colorado’s the most popular entertainment destinations. It now features a vast array of modern roller-coasters, and because many of The 12 cast members are thrill-ride aficionados, the staff at Elitch’s invited cast members Tuesday to ride the famous Carousel, which dates back to 1927 – and two coaster rides: The Brain Drain and the Boomerang.

The Boomerang is a steel coaster that takes riders forward and backward through vertical loops, twists and turns at speeds of more than 50 mph. The ride reaches 125 in the air, making it the tallest roller coaster at Elitch Gardens.

Luckily for us – and you – the Elitch staff turned a Go-Pro camera on the riders, and you can see the hilarious results in the video above.

The 12 imagines what happened when the disciples went into hiding for the three days following Jesus’ crucifixion. It plays through Sunday (April 26) in The Stage Theatre.

Photos: The 12‘s day at Elitch Gardens

All photos for John Moore for the DCPA NewsCenter.

Video bonus: Watch Colin Hanlon’s full ride on The Boomerang:
(Warning: Watching may force uncontrollable fits of laughter)
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The 12: Ticket information
Through April 26
Stage Theatre
Tickets: 303-893-4100 or BUY ONLINE
Toll-free: 800-641-1222 | TTY: 303-893-9582
Groups of 10 or more: 303-446-4829
ASL interpreted, audio described and open-captioned performance: 1:30 p.m. April 26

Our previous coverage of The 12:
Photos: Opening night of The 12
Robert Schenkkan’s Opening Night reflections
Neil Berg and the rockin’ roots of The 12
Video montage: Your first look at The 12
The 12: Three days that rocked the world
Watch short video samples of ‘The 12’ songs from the first sing-through
Video: Robert Schenkkan introduces The 12
The 12 opens rehearsals with a mandate to ‘dig deep’
Full casting announced for The 12
Final offering of Theatre Company season: Rock musical The 12

Meet the cast videos: 
Colin Hanlon as Peter
Tony Vincent as Tom
Christina Sajous as Mary Magdalene
Gregory Treco as Simon

Colin Hanlon loves roller coasters. Watch our video at the top of this page and see how much Colin Hanlon loves roller coasters. Photo by John Moore.