Elton John, partner want to adopt Ukrainian toddler

Elton John, partner want to adopt Ukrainian toddler

LONDON — Look out, Madonna and Angelina Jolie — pop star Elton John has decided he wants to join the ranks of A-list celebrities with adopted children.

But it’s not clear if John, 62, will be able to adopt, and the Rocket Man star has not yet started formal proceedings, which are often long and complicated.

John and longtime partner David Furnish are interested in trying to adopt a Ukrainian toddler named Lev they met during an orphanage tour there.

The singer told reporters in Ukraine on Saturday that Furnish, 46, has long wanted to adopt a child but that he was reluctant until he met Lev at an orphanage where many of the children’s parents have died from AIDS.

“David always wanted to adopt a child and I always said ’no’ because I am 62 and I think because of the traveling I do and the life I have, maybe it wouldn’t be fair for the child,” John said.

“But having seen Lev today, I would love to adopt him. I don’t know how we do that but he has stolen my heart. And he has stolen David’s heart and it would be wonderful if we can have a home. I’ve changed my mind today.”

Perry’s good ‘Bad’ opening

LOS ANGELES — Being bad is good for Tyler Perry, whose latest movie, “I Can Do Bad All By Myself,” opened at the top of the box office this weekend with more than $24 million.

The Lionsgate comedy stars Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) as a hard-drinking nightclub singer forced to care for her delinquent niece and nephews. Besides directing and writing the film, based on his stage play of the same name, Perry co-stars as his brash, cross-dressing alter ego, Madea.

It’s Perry’s second film this year to open at No. 1. In February, “Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail” debuted at the top spot with $41 million, which stands as the biggest opening of his eight films.

Woodstock musical in works

NEW YORK — First it was an iconic concert, then an acclaimed documentary. It was followed by countless books and recordings, not to mention a recent film by Ang Lee. Next, it’ll be a Broadway musical.

The concert’s producer and his business partner said last week that a new musical celebrating Woodstock is in the works for the 2010-11 theater season.

It is based on Michael Lang’s best-selling book, “The Road to Woodstock.” Lang co-founded and produced the 1969 concert.

Lang and partner Sam Nappi say there’s no title yet, and the show’s creative team is being assembled. It will feature new music as well as songs performed at the concert.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Walter Koenig (“Star Trek”) is 73. Singer-actress Joey Heatherton is 65. Actor Sam Neill is 62. Singer John “Bowzer” Baumann of Sha Na Na is 62. Guitarist Ed King (Strawberry Alarm Clock, Lynyrd Skynyrd) is 60. Saxophonist Steve Berlin of Los Lobos is 54. Country singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman is 53. Actress Mary Crosby is 50. Singer Morten Harket of A-ha is 50. Country singer John Berry is 50. Actress Melissa Leo is 49. Actress Faith Ford is 45. Actress Michelle Stafford (“The Young and the Restless”) is 44. Actor Dan Cortese is 41. Bassist Craig Montoya (Everclear) is 39. Actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley is 38. Rapper Nas is 36. Singer Amy Winehouse is 26.