Holly Near, a Singer in the Party Light

The Scene: Thursday’s opening-night party for “Fire in the Rain, Singer in the Storm,” Holly Near’s one-woman stage autobiography of her career as a singer and activist. The show, the last of the Mark Taper Forum’s 25th anniversary season, runs through Sept. 27. (There was a long line of people hoping for standby tickets Thursday night.) After the first-night performance there was a reception at the nearby restaurant Stepps.

The Buzz: As directed by her sister Timothy, the show begins with Near’s life as a child in Northern California and spans the activist movements of the ‘60s through the ‘80s: Vietnam, Chile, Nicaragua and the American women’s movement.

Who Was There: Holly Near’s mother, Anne; sisters, Timothy and Laurel; Meredith Baxter, Mr. Blackwell, Carole Cook, Gordon and Judi Davidson, Casey Kasem, Melissa Manchester, Mary McDonnell, Ann Miller, Lois Nettleton, Linda Purl, Helen Reddy, Bonnie Raitt, John Spencer, Susan Sullivan, and Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry.

Fashion Statement: The biggest political statement came from the people brave enough (or smart enough) to wear shorts, as it was hot enough Thursday night to smelt jewelry on the Music Center plaza.

Chow: Salmon, sandwiches, salads, vegetables, desserts and a full bar.

Money Matters: A kiosk outside the theater was doing decent business selling Near CDs, cassettes, books, T-shirts and other paraphernalia.

Quoted: Asked why “Fire in the Rain” ended in 1984 (pre-Bush, pre-Panama, pre-Persian Gulf), the Near sisters smiled. “We would have had to add a third act,” said Holly, while Timothy suggested, “Maybe that’s the sequel.”

Overheard: “I’m glad there are still people that optimistic in the world,” sighed one guest who remembered giving Near a ride to a college campus in 1972. “But I’m not one of them.”

Glitches: The dessert buffet was heavy with grapes, sending several guests into politically correct panic. Wailed one man: “Can we eat these now? I don’t know anymore!”