According to the Chicago Tribune, Winfrey is currently in the process of speaking with various Broadway directors and producers. The actress, whose long-running talk show ends its celebrated run May 25, is also poring through several scripts.

"I have a stack of plays in my bag right now that I am reading," Winfrey told the Tribune. "And just this past weekend, I was in New York meeting with producers. We were just talking about what would be the best route to take. But yes, this is really going to happen. ... Life is too short.

"I think," Winfrey added, "that an ensemble production is the way I should go."

Winfrey also revealed that director Kenny Leon had approached her to star in the recent revival of Fences.

"I had always wanted to do Fences," Winfrey explained. "I went through the idea of trying to take my show to New York, shoot a show during the daytime and appear on Broadway at night. But I couldn't do it. And finally, Kenny said he couldn't wait any longer."

Winfrey was the lead producer on the musical version of The Color Purple.