Does talk about a 30-to-80-cent Metro fare hike make you want to drink? Cry? Both? Here’s our suggestion: Skip the tears and head to IndeBleu (707 G St., NW; 202-333-2538), and—while you still can—put those extra cents to better use by indulging in the ultimate city fantasy: a Metro ride that leaves you wasted rather than penniless.

It's finally Halloween, the best holiday of the year (for those who like candy, costumes, and going out, all together). What are you doing to mark the occasion? Indulging in some pumpkin beer? Maybe going on a ghost tour? Heading out to a bar?

Whatever you're doing, make sure you have fun—but make sure to be safe, too. One way of doing that is to use the SoberRide taxi service being offered this evening. The Washington Regional Alcohol Program offers free taxi rides tonight starting at 8 PM and going till 1 AM. Just dial 1-800-200-TAXI, and the ride, as long as it's under a $50 value, will be free. The finer points: you must be 21; you can't reserve a cab ride in advance; and if your ride costs more than $50, you pay the difference.

And that's it! Easy, right? So get out there in your best costume and have a blast. Trick, treat, and taxi for free.

Tickets to Shakespeare’s plays in the 1500s and 1600s are said to have cost a penny. Now they cost a lot more, which might be one of the reasons Washington’s theater audiences are missing a younger demographic. In an effort to tame this shrew of a problem, several theaters are starting cheap-ticket initiatives to entice the younger crowd.

Arena Stage
1101 Sixth St., SW; 202-488-3300; arena-stage.org.
It may not be quite as low as a penny, but Arena Stage offers a pretty good deal for the 21st century—$10 tickets to patrons 30 and younger. Tickets go on sale beginning Monday for the rest of the week’s performances.

Catalyst Theater Company
545 Seventh St., SE; 800-494-8497; catalysttheater.com.
This deal’s not just for young people: Every Romeo, Juliet, and Othello out there—of any age, whether a student or not—can take in a play at Catalyst for only $10.

Unsung Designers, the Adams Morgan showroom known for carrying independent designers’ fashions, announced that it is closing its DC location and relocating to New York City.

While Unsung’s indie and anti-Generica influence will be missed in Washington, there’s no need to panic, because supporters may still “protect your identity [and] buy unsung” on the Web. In fact, the store will not have an open showroom in the Big Apple, either. Instead, all sales efforts will be focused online at unsungdesigners.com.

Cofounder Alishia Frey says, “The move will help us focus on increasing the number of innovative designers we carry, thus giving our clientele a greater selection of merchandise.” Adds cofounder Grace Wang: “Moving headquarters to New York City will help grow our business.”

To celebrate the move, Unsung is hosting a sale that began this past Saturday. The store, historically open only on Saturdays, will also be open November 15 through 18 from noon to 6 before it officially shuts down November 18. Take advantage of the discount and say goodbye to Unsung at its “Last Hurrah” party on Thursday, November 15, from 6 to 9 PM. Designers Verrieres & Sako will travel from San Francisco to showcase their fall designs and attend the stylish sendoff.

Read our piece about Unsung Designers founders Alishia Frey and Grace Wang, from our 40 Under 40 issue, here.

Unsung Designers, 2412 18th St., NW (in the alley).

As Jonathan’s last weeks as a 29 year-old drift by, he faces increasing pressure from a girlfriend who wants to take their relationship to the next level (tick), and a successful best friend who pressures him to find a “serious” job (tick).  Will Jon survive this quarter-life crisis by following his passion and writing a great  American musical or will he be waiting tables forever (BOOM!)? 

Stephen Gregory Smith and Matt Pearson as best friends Jon and Michael. Photo courtesy of Colin Hovde.

The overall message of the play – living life to the fullest – is made more meaningful given the story of its author, Jonathan Larson.  Tick, tick ... BOOM! Is a semi-autobiographical musical written by Larson, before his big break-out hit Rent, which won a 1996 Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize.  Unfortunately, Larson was unable to enjoy the show’s success as he passed away from an undiagnosed aoritc aneurysm on the day of the show’s opening; he was 35 years-old.  Tick, tick ... BOOM! was revisited by Larson’s friends after his death and playwright David Auburn dramatically altered the original solo show into a three character rock musical.

The MetroStage production of Tick, tick ... BOOM! is a showcase for young artists, which includes director Matthew Gardiner, a handful of designers and three actors.  Stephen Gregory Smith is cast in the lead role of Jon, a rapidly-aging, struggling playwright who is rather pessimistic about his upcoming theater workshop.  Like his character, Smith is also on the eve of his 30th birthday. "I am almost playing myself on the stage every night," Stephen reports.  "As a performer who is about to turn 30, I am wondering what to do with the rest of my life; whether to keep performing, which is hardly lucrative and a very difficult salary to keep you afloat on in this pricey city, or whether to stop performing and get a grown up job.  I think that every performer in this town has looked hard at this question."

The spot: Topaz Bar, 1733 N St., NW; 202-393-3000.

The drink: Green Dragon, a blend of Bols green-tea liqueur, Bacardi Limón, and tropical-citrus vitamin water (the yellow kind). Served with a green-tea bag. Officially available November 1, but head bartender Chris Silva will happily mix it now.

The price: $10.

First impression: The first sip washes away any skepticism over the green-tea liqueur. 

Last impression: Twisted Tea? Not a chance. Topaz’s take on the tea-plus-liquor equation is more sophisticated, more complicated, and drinkable (even if it doesn't look it). The tea and Bacardi go together like JLo and Ben circa 2002: You can’t separate one from the other. 

Not a tea drinker? Try the Satori, a mix of puréed carrot, orange juice, Jack Daniel’s, triple sec, and a squeeze of lime—also available now by request and on the menu November 1. Report back on what you think.