Show & Tell: Meet Kristin Ratatori of ‘Fantasy’

Q: How long have you been in "Fantasy"?

A: It's going on 2½ years.

Q: Did you come to Las Vegas specifically to pursue a dance career?

A: Yep. I saw a show - it must have been an E! (network) special - and it was on "Jubilee!" and I said, "I'm going to be a Las Vegas showgirl in that show." I said that when I was 13 years old, and that's what I did.

Q: How long had you been dancing at that point?

A: I had been dancing since I was 2½ or 3 years old and never stopped. My parents threw me in (for lessons) and then, every year as I got older, (they said), "Do you want to do it again?" I was, like, "Why are you even asking me? Throw me in more." (Laughs)

Q: So how did you get into "Jubilee!"?

A: I was living in Chicago at the time - I moved to that big city at first; I was a little nervous about the big jump to Las Vegas, but I knew I had to get here - and (a friend) was, like, "Didn't you always want to go to Las Vegas to do that show?" She said that in three days there was an audition. I got a resume and threw everything together and packed my apartment up before I even knew I had the job.

Q: And you got it.

A: Got it. And I was there for one year. Then I had this little injury that took me out, and I just realized there was more to Vegas. I was, "What else can I tap into?" because I was really intrigued by all the Vegas shows.

Q: You've danced in a nice range of shows, too (including "Bite," as well as "Jubilee!").

A: I've had my full range. I've never seen myself in Cirque. I absolutely adore it, but I've never seen myself in it. Other than that, I have tapped all the corners I ever, personally, have wanted to hit at this point, which is very fulfilling.

Q: What's your favorite kind of show?

A: All the shows I've been in, they're sexy shows. I'm, like, a va-va-voom kind of dancer. It's what drives me, it's what I find so intriguing and so fun. I love that burlesque feeling, and I couldn't find it in New York. I wouldn't go anywhere else but Vegas to dance in shows.

Q: Sounds like a match made in heaven.

A: Oh, I was born to be a Vegas showgirl (laughs). I would never pass up the last 5½ years for anything.

Q: How would you describe yourself?

A: I'm the quirky one. I'm not shy. I'm one of those girls who, if I fall down a flight of stairs, I will get up and make the audience cheer for me and then hobble off (laughs).