Hats off to the Tony Award winning singer, recording artist and stylist Melba Moore for taking the audience on an intimate and poignant journey and then bringing them to their feet for a resounding standing ovation.

During the one-woman show at the City Hall Theatre 'Melba Moore: Sweet Songs of the Soul' on Monday night, she shared stories from her life and quite literally sang or scatted to songs and aria that matched her emotional journey.

Ms Moore either had the audience in hysterics, singing along or deep in thought, as she masterfully wove her way through the fabric of her life.

Her stage presence was exactly what would be expected from someone of her calibre. She showcased her four-octave range of musical talent in a way that proved that she can sing anything from Gospel to Opera.

The show also spotlighted her storytelling talents, as she literally mesmerised the audience. No one would have thought that she is on the brink of age 61, as she still shines as though she is in her mid- to late-40s.

She has been on Broadway since the age of 22 when she appeared in 'Hair', singing 'White Boys', before taking over as Sheila, a role that had been played by actress Diane Keaton.

Ms Moore was the first black singer/actress to take over from a white female lead.

She was only 24 when she won a Tony Award for playing the archetypal young housemaid, in the musical 'Purlie'.

Her voice was amazing and she held notes for a dizzyingly long time.

The musical numbers included 'Stormy Weather', 'It Don't Mean a Thing', 'Rock of Ages', the title song from 'Purlie' and a welcome medley from 'Hair', including 'The Age of Aquarius'.

In Act I, she sketched her childhood, and spoke about her mother who performed and toured with Duke Ellington and her grandmother who was her primary caregiver. She wove in Mama Lou, who was essentially her nanny, after her grandmother had a stroke.

She gave an enthusiastic rendition, in Southern black dialect, of Mama Lou telling the story of Brer Rabbit and the briar patch.

In Act II, she took the audience through her adult life in much greater detail and included very personal details — the kind you would usually only reveal to those closest to you.

Her story is one of serious, dramatic ups and downs — with most of her problems caused by the men in her life.

They included the actor Clifton Davis and one of her husbands who forged her signature on their divorce papers, while they were still living as husband and wife.

Seeing her on stage was an absolute pleasure and to now be aware of some of her personal challenges on the road to success makes her all the more appealing.