The rebuilding of Notre Dame Cathedral appears to be proceeding apace four years after the 2019 fire that devastated the Paris, France, landmark.

Wait. This isn’t the actual Notre Dame Cathedral in the Main Stage Theatre, Labuda Center for the Arts, DeSales University, Center Valley. You could have fooled me.

The master builders of Act 1 Performing Arts at DeSales University, led by Scenic Designer Will Neuert, have constructed a magnificent replica of Notre Dame Cathedral. Two towers that reach to the proscenium flank the stage. A circular stained-glass window hovers at the center of the facade.

Purple and blue washes of light, by Lighting Designer Eric T. Haugen, and four boxes of votive candles enhance the mystery of the proceedings as brown-robed monks file onto the stage. An on-stage choir, also in brown cloaks on each side, sings sacred incantations, boosted by Sound Designer David M. Greenberg. The entire Company, with Music Director Nancy Moser Collins Miles, begins singing “The Bells of Notre Dame,” backed by a 14-piece orchestra led by Conductor Paul Hsun-Ling Chou. Then, in the Bell Tower scene, three gargantuan bells descend.

All of this would be akin to a child stepping into a parent’s shoes or a youngster wearing an adult’s overcoat if it were not for the absolutely amazing performances by the student actors who more than fill the roles in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” a production that’s a bell-ringer and one of the most astounding of the Lehigh Valley 2022-23 theater season. The Act 1 production continues through May 7. The May 3 performance was seen for this review.

Director Dennis Razze and Associate Director Anne Lewis, Head of the Division of Performing Arts at DeSales University, have marshalled a huge student cast and student production staff to bring the musical, based on the Victor Hugo 1831 novel and with songs from the Walt Disney Animation Studios 1996 feature film, to the stage. Music is by Alan Menken. Lyrics are by Stephen Schwartz. Book is by Peter Parnell.

The Act 1 production has tremendous dancing with students high-stepping, gymnastic and frolicsome in routines by Choreographer Stephen Casey. The show contains swordplay by Fight Choreographer J. Alex Cordaro. Costume Designer Amber Stepanik has assembled an impressive array, from somber to colorful.

The cast, by my count, has 13 students in lead roles, with 19 students in roles of gypsies, gargoyles, soldiers, parishioners, priests and Paris citizens, and an 18-voice student choir.

The students in the lead roles are especially outstanding in acting, voice projection and singing.

“Sanctuary,” Scene One’s first song, is a powerful duet by Giovanni Marini (Dom Claude Frollo, Archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral) and Dillon Parish (Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame).

Parish has several standout numbers, including Quasimodo’s signature song, “Out There”; “Heaven’s Light,” and “Made of Stone,” the latter with the Gargoyles. Parish successfully evokes the character’s voice and moves seamlessly into his beautiful singing voice. Parish does this carrying a huge body apparatus on his shoulder and back to depict the character’s hunchback. This is a performance, and performer, to remember.

Tommy Stacherski (Clopin, King of the Gypsies) is a rollicking fun presence in the scene-stealing “Topsy-Turvy,” with Parish and the Congregation, and “The Court of Miracles,” with the Gypsies.

Christian Tuffy (Phoebus, Captain of the Cathedral Guard) has a strong turn in “Rest & Recreation,” with Marini, Stacherski and the Congregation.

Kevin Regan (Saint Aphrodisius, a stained glass image that comes to life) has a wonderful voice in “Flight into Egypt,” with Parish, Gargoyles and Congregation.

If Parish as Quasimodo is the star of “The Hunchback” and not in title alone, then Gabrielle Mosely as Esmeralda, billed in the cast credits as “a beautiful and free-spirited gypsy,” more than lives up to the role.

Moseley has several spotlight numbers and she commands attention with a superb clear voice and confident stage presence as if a seasoned performer in “Rhythm of the Tambourine,” with Tuffy, Marini and the Congregation; her character’s signature song, “God Help the Outcasts,” with the Congregation; “Top of the World,” with Parish and the Gargoyles, and “Someday,” with Tuffy, a lovely duet with the two students arching and blending their voices beautifully.

Act 1’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is a remarkable production, one of the best-ever at DeSales University. The Act 1 students, creative team and staff have built a show to rival the iconic Paris cathedral and its legendary fable.

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” 8 p.m. May 5; 2, 8 p.m. May 6; 2 p.m. May 7; Main Stage Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley. 610-282-3192, https://www.desales.edu