Disney’s latest effort to recreate the theatrical success of The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast is getting downright dismal reviews in its out-of-town tryout. The Little Mermaid, playing in Denver prior to a November leap to Broadway, was slammed by Variety’s chief critic, and some observers are wondering how much longer Disney will be willing to spend millions of dollars “throwing its cartoons at Broadway stages” if Mermaid goes to a watery grave in New York.