I think Adam was making a reference to the current generation of Rentheads. The ones he experienced personally when he did the show this summer. They are of a different breed then the ones he was used to back in the day.
Back in the day, the fans were really into the message and all that. The show motivated them to do something whatever it may have been.
But, with the current generation of Rentheads all they care about is the show. Nothing more. They don't really care that Rent is a parable about how you should live life to the fullest. They don't care about any of that stuff. Most of them most likely don't even know who the hell Jonathan Larson is. They think that the show is the biggest thing since sliced bread. They don't care about the message.
These are the people Pascal is talking about.
I was doing a theatre program this summer with some kids who were younger then me. When they talked about how they wanted to see the show time and time again. I had asked them if they were really impacted that strongly by the show's message. They had told me that they weren't. That they felt that the message was one that was said time and time again. What made Rent any different they asked. I found it amazing that could see it time and time again without getting anything out of it other then a good story.
I understand that it is okay to want to return to your object of fantasy time and time again. That is why I never knock people for seeing a particular show many many times. But, with a show like Rent there is a message in there. And its not a hard one to figure out. It is right in your face. But, the fact that there are people who just refuse to realize that it is there bother the hell out of me.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear"
Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll