Onstage is a card game designed by Michael Orion, in which players take on the roles of theatrical troupes competing to recruit the best performers and build the most successful ensemble.
The gameplay is based on trick-taking, but it introduces several interesting twists. Players must follow the suit that was led, and the winner of each trick gains the performer currently on stage. A unique feature of the game is that the trump suit is not fixed; instead, it is determined by the most valuable performers currently on stage. As the lineup of performers changes throughout the game, the trump suit changes as well, requiring players to constantly adapt their strategies.
Certain cards trigger special effects that allow players to move performers within the lineup, change their order on stage, and influence future scoring opportunities. As a result, the game is more than a traditional trick-taking experience, incorporating tactical planning as players can set up advantageous situations for themselves several turns in advance or disrupt their opponents' plans.
Players score points through the performers they acquire during the game, making it important to keep track of which performers remain available and how the trump suit may change over time. The winner is the player with the most points after all rounds have been played.
Onstage is an elegant and dynamic game that skillfully combines a theatrical theme with exciting tactical card play. 🎭
