TWO rising musical stars meet over a glass of scotch in a dimly lit bar while performing in rival shows — and it’s love at first sight.

What follows is a whirlwind romance in which the couple travel the world and everyone lives happily ever after.

It may sound like the plot of a stage musical, but for performers Ryan Bondy, from The Book Of Mormon, and Hilary Cole, who starred in Kinky Boots, it is the story of their real-life romance.

A mutual friend first suggested Bondy and Cole would be well suited. So two weeks after Bondy arrived in Australia in November, 2016, the couple met in a Melbourne bar after Cole came off stage from Kinky Boots.

“I knew what I wanted,” Cole said.

“It has been magical.”

Bondy added: “We didn’t kiss that first night because friends were around but we did hold hands quite intensely under the table.”

Fast-forward to September 4 last year and, wanting to do something different and surprising, Bondy proposed while the pair went go-karting.

The couple will marry on Bondi Beach on April 23 but are also planning a celebration in Canada with Bondy’s extended family.

As for the future, being actors and writers, the couple say they will be based in Australia but plan to travel the world.

For now though, Bondy will continue to star in BOM at the Lyric Theatre.