While attending the High School for Performing Arts, she met fellow student Michael Bennett. Around the same time, she appeared in "Flower Drum Song", in which she was taught to walk in high heels. When reaching her full height of four feet, ten inches (147 cm), her dreams of becoming a ballerina were dashed because she was deemed too short. Though she was offered a scholarship to Juilliard, Lee instead chose to further her career. Her Broadway appearances included "Mr. President", "Golden Boy", and "Here's Love". Her next three shows were all choreographed by her old friend, Michael Bennett: "A Joyful Noise", "Henry, Sweet Henry", and "Promises, Promises". In the last one, she performed the famous dance number "Turkey Lurkey Time" (with Donna McKechnie and Margo Sappington). Lee was dance captain for "Promises, Promises", and recreated the choreography for subsequent touring productions, starting her future path as choreographer.