Representation

‘Law & Order’ star returns home to Sacramento for ’3: Black Girls Blues’, a one-woman act

Sacramento’s Danielle Truitt stars in a solo act portraying a character named Jill.
Sacramento’s Danielle Truitt stars in a solo act portraying a character named Jill. B Street Theatre

Danielle Truitt can be seen on the hit NBC reboot of “Law & Order.” But the Sacramento-born-and-raised actress, who plays NYPD Sgt. Ayanna Bell, is coming home for a series of performances that are from the heart.

Striking out on her own after graduating from Valley High School and Sacramento State, Truitt had an idea for her own one-woman show. From that idea sprang “3: Black Girls Blues,” which returned to the B Street Theatre on Thursday night and runs through Sunday.

She first debuted the solo act, written by fellow Sacramento native and playwright Anthony D’Juan, in a Los Angeles theater in 2011. A year later, she brought the show to Sacramento.

“3” is about close friends — Keisha, Jill and Stephanie — who grew up together from the age of 6. Now in their 30s, the trio shares their emotion experiences one by one.

“These three women are very unique, but (are) also people that everybody can relate to. You either are that person, have been that person or you know that person,” said Truitt.

Keisha is a well-known individual in her south Sacramento community who feels betrayed when she finds out her longtime boyfriend has a child with another woman.

Jill is a housewife with three children who deserves better for herself but struggles to develop a backbone for herself.

Stephanie appears to have her life all put together as an executive; however, her daily battles with mental illness force her to re-evaluate her priorities.

Together they share the highs and lows of adulthood, navigating their deepest fears and addressing friendship and relationships head-on. The dialogue touches on infidelity, marital constraints and the effects of mental illness.

“(They’re) kind of having to face some of the actions in their past toward each other, and even to themselves,” said Truitt, who portrays all three women. “The play is really highlighting the work it takes to face yourself and your demons and decide whether you want to be better, or whether you want to continue kind of in the toxic cycle that you’ve been in.”

Danielle Truitt, actress, playing Keisha in 3: Black Girls Blues, a solo performance.
Danielle Truitt, actress, playing Keisha in 3: Black Girls Blues, a solo performance. B Street Theatre

She said the play she helped create “definitely” had a hand in where she is today — over the years she’s been able to relate to each character’s situation.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $45 and available at the B Street box office. Truitt will host a Q&A session following her Thursday and Sunday performances.

This story was originally published June 9, 2022 at 7:23 PM.

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Marcus D. Smith
The Sacramento Bee
Marcus D. Smith is a former reporter for The Sacramento Bee.
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