@jomajuga, just use the "setSpriteDepth" and "setTextDepth" commands giving the text a smaller value. This will put the text in front of the sprites. At default text is set at a depth of 9 which should be in front of other sprites unless you have edited the sprite depth.
@Impetus73, You're right, only individual characters can be rotated. There's an enhancement request for the board. If I get time later I'll add it. In the mean time you'd have to place characters individually too which is a real pain! Not impossible though. Might make a handy code snippet.
Rotating individual characters does make it possible for text to follow a curve / angle or just look more 'jumbled' though which is cool...