The L.A. Daily News says that Lansbury, who recently purchased a condominium in Manhattan, felt the need to "be back in New York theatrical society." Lansbury told writers Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith, "I'm kind of opening a new window here. It will be interesting to see what transpires from this move back to New York. . . . With my grandchildren grown now, and my family all involved in their own lives and their own business, I no longer feel I need to be right there — and I think they'll enjoy for me to get on with my life."

Lansbury continued, "They feel responsible for seeing to it that I'm OK since I am a widow. I didn't want them to feel they had this hobble on their foot."

Perhaps best known her for work as TV sleuth Jessica Fletcher on "Murder, She Wrote," Angela Lansbury is one of the most celebrated stars of the Broadway stage. She received Tony Awards for her performances in Sweeney Todd, Gypsy, Dear World and Mame, and she also appeared on The Great White Way in Hotel Paradiso, A Taste of Honey, Anyone Can Whistle, The King and I and A Little Family Business. Her numerous film credits include "Gaslight," "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Manchurian Candidate," all of which brought the actress Academy Award nominations.