Actor Joe Sershen, left, plays the Christmas patriarch Leo Tannenbaum in the Cascades Theatrical Company production of “The Christmas Express.” In this scene from a recent rehearsal, Sershen leads fellow cast members, from left, Lana Shane, Jared Rasic and Rena Bennett-Dellwo, in a carol.

This year’s holiday production from the Cascades Theatrical Company is “a real sweet little thing,” says director Monica Torrey.

“The Christmas Express” (see “If You Go”) is a relatively short play that is neither soul-searching drama nor harebrained comedy. It’s a “nice, wholesome, uplifting play,” says Torrey, and appropriate for the whole family.

It’s a safe pick for CTC, but Torrey asks, what’s wrong with that? Dickens often dominates the holidays, and if it’s not Dickens, it’s something cynical, said Torrey.

“It’s hard to find something sweet in this day and age,” she said.

“The Christmas Express” is set in the fictional town of Holly, somewhere in the South. The playwright, Pat Cook, doesn’t specify where, but Torrey believes it’s Cook’s home state of Texas.

Holly is a run-down remnant of its former self, a “place where time stops.” The entire two-act play takes place within Holly’s train station, itself a monument to times gone by. Station owner Hilda Trowbridge (played by Lana Shane) waits for passengers who never arrive, and her wise-cracking porter (Jared Rasic) passes the time zinging one-liners.

The town is predictably full of characters, including a world-weary mail carrier (Rena Bennett-Dellwo) and a worldly, idealistic young reporter (Marielle Gallagher).

Lo and behold, a train pulls in and the enchanting Leo Tannenbaum (Joe Sershen) enters. A sort of fatherly figure with a penchant for spreading cheer, Tannenbaum seems to be just the thing Holly needs for the holidays. The station’s radio starts working again, the Christmas ornaments are magically repaired and even the town choir starts singing its carols in key.

The town warms to Tannenbaum, all except Trowbridge, who finds him suspicious. Her fear is egged on by the arrival of a tight-lipped railroad auditor (Jim Hammond). The auditor’s silence is equally upsetting to Trowbridge, who worries the two gentlemen are out to steal her station.

As the play unfolds, the town learns a lot about itself, mostly from Tannenbaum, who has a way of resolving differences. It’s also somewhat of a sport among the residents to figure out who Tannenbaum is and how he knows so much about their town.

If there is a message in “The Christmas Express,” it’s hope and faith, said Sershen. He should know: Sershen also played the fatherly role of Mack in CTC’s 2006 Christmas production, “Fruitcakes.”

“I’m becoming the Christmas guy around here,” joked Sershen at a recent rehearsal. Sershen enjoys the “warm, family stuff,” however, and likes “The Christmas Express” for being just that.

The play also stars Daniel Leifer, Heather Harlan, Julie Coburn (in her third straight CTC production!) and Tish Woodard.

IF YOU GO

What: “The Christmas Express,” presented by Cascades Theatrical Company

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 16

Where: 148 N.W. Greenwood Ave., Bend

Cost: $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students

Contact: 389-0803 or www.cascadestheatrical.org