"It's the one time I had to watch the rear ends of other women and my wife allowed it," Myers said with a grin. "It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it."
Of course, his wife was in the troupe, so Myers did stick to his sticks.
And, as odd as that gig was, it gets odder: Myers, a two-year Mare Island resident, was picked as musical director of "Rivets," a musical tribute based on Rosie the Riveter, with the entire production staged aboard the SS Red Oak Victory in the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards.
Yep, the eccentric Myers has gone from navel to naval.
"I always look for unique projects to get involved in," Myers said. "It doesn't always happen that way. I had my share of 'Can you play this wedding for us?' gigs."
But even the weddings could take a turn for the bizarre, Myers said.
"It becomes, 'It's the four of us and we didn't tell you the wedding will be while skydiving,' " said Myers, who jumped at the chance to be musical director of a WWII musical.
"It's a world premiere, so I get it when it's the first," he said. "I'm not doing the 1,000th production of 'South Pacific,' where everyone knows everything."
"Rivets" runs Oct. 9-26, offering WWII veterans and uniformed soldiers free admission.
Kathryn G. McCarty penned "Rivets," basing the characters on a decade of historical research. It was the Kaiser Shipyards that produced the ships "that helped America win WWII and changed our country forever," McCarty said in a press release.
The site of the play is a huge attraction, she added.
"Being in the site where history was created, and understanding the significance of the American contribution, of those who worked round the clock to bring home their fathers, husbands and brothers - it's monumental for all involved."
The Red Oak Victory is the last surviving Victory ship built and launched in the Kaiser Richmond Shipyard.
Myers can't wait for the show to be unveiled.
"I've done all sorts of venues. I've taken old warehouses and turned them into theaters," Myers said. "But this is a ship being used for performances. The cast is using the wall of this ammo hold and parts of the ship for props. You don't get any more organic than that. To me, this is a kind of a neat experience, you must admit."
The view from the top deck is worth the price of admission, Myers said.
"It's a beautiful sight," he said. "You see the tugs coming in and out. It's an active shipyard."
It's honorable and exciting to tell the stories of "Rosie the Riveter," "Wendy the Welder," "Dynamite Dorothy" and the others who represent the women behind the war, Myers said.
"We're getting to tell about the history of this group of women," Myers said. "They were the ultimate women who could do it all."
Myers has an eclectic mix of a career in theater and music dating back to Syracuse University in 1976. From Cleveland Public Theater, to the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, percussionist for the San Jose Wind Symphony, and musical improviser for several comedy improv troupes.
He's also managed a 100-member professional orchestra, created several theaters, directed fund-raising and marketing programs, and produced tour for performing groups worldwide.
"I'm not sure what I want to do when I grow up," said Myers, who turned 52 last week.
The musician and director landed his "Rivets" assignment from Craigslist. Myers connected with the playwright.
"Within minutes, it was 'Here's a job. You want it?'" said Myers, laughing that "I may have been the only one who responded."
So far, so good, he said.
"I've enjoyed the whole experience of doing 'Rivets,'" he said, adding that the Fleet Week performances Oct. 9-14 "will be fascinating."
IF YOU GO ...
What: 'Rivets,' a musical premiere
When: Oct. 9-26
Where: SS Red Oak Victory, Kaiser Richmond Shipyards
Tickets: $20 general, free for soldiers in uniform and WWII veterans
• Contact: (925) 676-5705, galateanplayers.com
