Larry Yando may inhabit the character of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, but don’t confuse the man with the role. Offstage, the Andersonville actor is a thoughtful gift giver and a beloved teacher of drama. Ahead of his ninth Carol at the Goodman, running through December, Yando shares some favorites.

App I can’t live without

The Shakespeare app. It’s his complete works, in the original folio. I teach Shakespeare, so I use it if someone needs a monologue or wants to know where a line is from.

Secret obsession

Body products. People love to take showers at my house because there are 10 different things for every body part.

What I spend the most money on

Music downloads. I am music obsessed. My favorite recent album is Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly.

Favorite Chicago meal

Beef green curry from Indie Café on Broadway.

Best spot for holiday gifts

Aroma Workshop. I create custom scents and give them as presents. It feels personal and considerate.

Favorite Chicago landmark

The lakefront. I grew up going to the ocean, so I love the lack of architecture.

Hidden local gem

The Salvation Army on Oakton in Skokie. It’s brilliant. The people who bring their clothes there [see jacket pictured above] must be rich, British, and my size.

Fashion item I’ll never retire

A 1970s rust-colored bell-bottom suit. I’ve worn it to many occasions, and it always gets more press than me.